Penn Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: pen //pɛn//
Origin: English; Welsh
Meaning: English: hill; Welsh: head
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Penn has its roots in the Old English word "penna," which means "feather" or "wing." This term evolved through various forms, eventually becoming a surname in medieval England. The name was often associated with the imagery of a feather, which symbolized lightness and freedom.
The surname Penn is believed to have been adopted by families in England during the 12th century, and it is thought to have originated from a nickname or a topographical feature, possibly referring to someone who lived near a hill or a prominent geographical feature resembling a feather's shape. Historically, the name gained prominence through notable figures such as William Penn, the English Quaker and founder of Pennsylvania in the late 17th century.
Born in 1644, William Penn was a significant figure in promoting religious freedom and democratic principles in the New World. His legacy contributed to the name's association with ideals of liberty and social justice, particularly in the context of American history.
The establishment of Pennsylvania as a refuge for Quakers and other persecuted groups under Penn's leadership marked a pivotal moment in the early colonial period. Culturally, the name Penn has been embraced in various contexts, often symbolizing peace and harmony, reflecting the Quaker values that William Penn espoused.
The name has also been used in literature and the arts, further embedding it in cultural narratives. Additionally, diminutive forms such as Penny have emerged, though they are less common in historical contexts.
Overall, the name Penn carries connotations of freedom, social conscience, and historical significance, rooted in its linguistic origins and the impactful life of its most famous bearer.
Famous people named Penn
In this section, you will find notable people named Penn. 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 Penn who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Penn 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.
Penn Jillette is a magician, actor, and author best known for Penn & Teller, Bullshit!, and the podcast Penn's Sunday School.
Penn Badgley is an actor best known for Gossip Girl, You, and Easy A.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Penn, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Penn. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Penn was first seen in the United States in 1915.
Penn has ranked as high as #3995 nationally, which occurred in 2020, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, California, Texas, Illinois, and North Carolina.
In the past 5 years the name Penn has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Penn 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 Penn 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 Penn.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 48 | 48 | 0 |
| 2024 | 42 | 42 | 0 |
| 2023 | 69 | 69 | 0 |
| 2022 | 54 | 54 | 0 |
| 2021 | 64 | 64 | 0 |
| 2020 | 80 | 73 | 7 |
| 2019 | 72 | 67 | 5 |
| 2018 | 49 | 49 | 0 |
| 2017 | 61 | 61 | 0 |
| 2016 | 64 | 64 | 0 |
| 2015 | 66 | 56 | 10 |
| 2014 | 79 | 79 | 0 |
| 2013 | 53 | 53 | 0 |
| 2012 | 46 | 46 | 0 |
| 2011 | 34 | 34 | 0 |
| 2010 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
| 2009 | 32 | 32 | 0 |
| 2008 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 2007 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 2006 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 2005 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 2004 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 2003 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 2001 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 2000 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1999 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1998 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1997 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1992 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1989 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1987 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1986 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1985 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1983 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1974 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1973 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1970 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1969 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1964 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1961 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1959 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1957 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1955 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1954 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1953 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1952 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1949 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1947 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1946 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1945 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1938 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1930 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1926 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1924 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1922 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1920 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1917 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1915 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
Top States for Penn (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 |
|---|---|---|
| PA | 5 |