Lynn Unisex

Popularity: #879 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: lin //lɪn//

Origin: English; Welsh

Meaning: English: lake; Welsh: waterfall

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Lynn has its roots in the Welsh language, derived from the word "llyn," which means "lake" or "pool." This etymological origin reflects a connection to nature, particularly bodies of water, which are often significant in Welsh culture and geography. The name made its way into English usage through the influence of the Welsh language, particularly during the periods of increased interaction between the Welsh and the English, especially from the 12th century onward.

The name has also been associated with various locations in England, such as Lynn in Norfolk, which is derived from the same Welsh root. Historically, the name Lynn has been borne by notable figures, including Saint Lynn, a lesser-known saint in early Christian history.

The name gained further recognition in the 19th century, coinciding with the Romantic movement, which celebrated nature and the pastoral ideal. Literary works from this period often featured characters named Lynn, emphasizing the name's association with tranquility and natural beauty.

Additionally, the name appears in various historical texts and documents, contributing to its longevity in the English-speaking world. Culturally, Lynn has been embraced for its simplicity and melodic quality, making it a favored choice in various English-speaking regions.

The name has also been used in various diminutive forms, such as Lynne or Lyn, which have emerged over time. These variations reflect the adaptability of the name across different cultures and languages.

The enduring appeal of Lynn can be attributed to its serene connotations and its connection to the natural world, which resonate with many cultural traditions.

Famous people named Lynn

In this section, you will find notable people named Lynn. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Lynn who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Lynn who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Lynn Redgrave was an actress best known for Georgy Girl, Shine, and The Happy Prince.

Lynn Anderson was a country music singer best known for Rose Garden, How Can I Unlove You, and Listen to a Country Song.

Lynn Swann is a former professional football player best known for his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and winning four Super Bowl titles.

Lynn Shelton was a filmmaker and actress best known for Humpday, Your Sister's Sister, and Little Fires Everywhere.

Lynn Nottage is a playwright best known for Intimate Apparel, Ruined, and Sweat.

Fictional characters named Lynn

The following list of fictional characters named Lynn is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Lynn is a fictional character from the animated series The Loud House. She is the athletic and competitive middle child of the Loud family, known for her love of sports and games.

Lynn is a fictional character from the video game series Fire Emblem. She is a skilled swordsman and one of the main protagonists in Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade, known for her speed and agility in battle.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Lynn, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

LilaLaraLanaLucyLeahLena

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Lynn. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

LynneLinaLanaLilaLaraLaceyLolaLydia

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Lynn was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Lynn has ranked as high as #88 nationally, which occurred in 1956, and has been most popular in New York, California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Michigan.

In the past 5 years the name Lynn has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Lynn is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Lynn was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Lynn.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 84 15 69
2024 75 15 60
2023 66 14 52
2022 67 13 54
2021 91 23 68
2020 91 12 79
2019 115 19 96
2018 87 16 71
2017 110 20 90
2016 103 10 93
2015 100 16 84
2014 104 16 88
2013 113 21 92
2012 120 28 92
2011 140 30 110
2010 130 19 111
2009 113 19 94
2008 129 22 107
2007 155 18 137
2006 136 17 119
2005 173 22 151
2004 148 22 126
2003 171 29 142
2002 175 37 138
2001 180 27 153
2000 218 49 169
1999 204 40 164
1998 202 34 168
1997 217 36 181
1996 240 31 209
1995 256 45 211
1994 312 52 260
1993 321 57 264
1992 344 58 286
1991 405 66 339
1990 474 77 397
1989 506 86 420
1988 552 83 469
1987 559 84 475
1986 603 89 514
1985 713 110 603
1984 809 103 706
1983 890 102 788
1982 957 123 834
1981 1,123 170 953
1980 1,186 170 1,016
1979 1,213 143 1,070
1978 1,259 152 1,107
1977 1,248 150 1,098
1976 1,329 182 1,147
1975 1,615 192 1,423
1974 1,868 224 1,644
1973 2,200 267 1,933
1972 2,543 291 2,252
1971 3,012 341 2,671
1970 3,645 381 3,264
1969 4,080 432 3,648
1968 4,558 455 4,103
1967 4,635 439 4,196
1966 4,791 485 4,306
1965 5,182 514 4,668
1964 6,320 645 5,675
1963 6,546 719 5,827
1962 7,050 833 6,217
1961 7,333 892 6,441
1960 7,809 959 6,850
1959 8,066 1,008 7,058
1958 8,266 1,052 7,214
1957 8,716 1,274 7,442
1956 8,989 1,253 7,736
1955 8,688 1,333 7,355
1954 8,195 1,415 6,780
1953 7,552 1,555 5,997
1952 7,410 1,592 5,818
1951 7,298 1,669 5,629
1950 6,643 1,623 5,020
1949 6,460 1,580 4,880
1948 6,181 1,572 4,609
1947 6,775 1,781 4,994
1946 5,414 1,530 3,884
1945 3,948 1,218 2,730
1944 3,550 1,290 2,260
1943 3,507 1,442 2,065
1942 3,143 1,394 1,749
1941 2,610 1,351 1,259
1940 2,002 1,045 957
1939 1,756 885 871
1938 1,532 810 722
1937 1,201 703 498
1936 998 614 384
1935 894 555 339
1934 869 564 305
1933 816 527 289
1932 740 496 244
1931 603 425 178
1930 615 458 157
1929 527 415 112
1928 583 468 115
1927 575 447 128
1926 462 370 92
1925 535 435 100
1924 489 409 80
1923 462 391 71
1922 460 383 77
1921 425 366 59
1920 474 412 62
1919 409 345 64
1918 431 362 69
1917 403 345 58
1916 376 320 56
1915 349 305 44
1914 277 232 45
1913 224 192 32
1912 184 156 28
1911 91 66 25
1910 86 63 23
1909 85 67 18
1908 68 50 18
1907 62 48 14
1906 54 40 14
1905 42 28 14
1904 51 40 11
1903 43 34 9
1902 48 39 9
1901 33 27 6
1900 49 41 8
1899 40 31 9
1898 52 44 8
1897 34 27 7
1896 43 37 6
1895 46 46 0
1894 28 28 0
1893 46 35 11
1892 39 39 0
1891 39 34 5
1890 27 27 0
1889 44 44 0
1888 17 17 0
1887 23 23 0
1886 30 25 5
1885 30 25 5
1884 27 27 0
1883 33 33 0
1882 27 27 0
1881 21 21 0
1880 35 30 5

Top States for Lynn (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 7
39%
TX 6
33%
NY 5
28%