Quinn Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: kwin //kwɪn//
Origin: Irish; Latin
Meaning: Irish: 'wisdom'; Latin: 'fifth'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Quinn has its origins in the Irish surname "Ó Cuinn," which means "descendant of Conn." The name Conn itself is derived from the Old Irish word "con," meaning "wisdom" or "intelligence." This etymological journey traces back to the Gaelic language, which has been spoken in Ireland since at least the 5th century. The surname was historically associated with various notable figures in Irish history, including several kings and warriors, which contributed to its prominence in Irish culture.
Throughout the centuries, the name Quinn transitioned from a surname to a given name, particularly gaining traction in the 20th century. It is often linked to the legendary figure of Conn of the Hundred Battles, a semi-mythical king of Ulster, who is celebrated in various Irish tales and folklore.
The name's association with nobility and strength has helped it endure in cultural memory. Additionally, the name appears in various historical texts and genealogies, further solidifying its significance in Irish heritage.
Culturally, Quinn has resonated within both Irish and broader Celtic traditions, often symbolizing intelligence and leadership. The name has also been embraced in various forms across different cultures, with variations appearing in other languages.
In some contexts, diminutive forms like "Quin" have emerged, though the full name remains the most recognized. The enduring legacy of Quinn reflects its deep roots in Irish history and its symbolic associations with wisdom and nobility.
Famous people named Quinn
In this section, you will find notable people named Quinn. 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 Quinn who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Quinn 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.
Quinn Cummings is an actress and author best known for The Goodbye Girl, Family, and her role in the film The Last Starfighter.
Quinn Shephard is an actress and filmmaker best known for Blame, and her work in the film The Edge of Seventeen.
Quinn Sullivan is a musician and guitarist best known for his work with Buddy Guy and his albums such as Midnight Highway.
Fictional characters named Quinn
The following list of fictional characters named Quinn 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.
Quinn Fabray is a fictional character from the TV series Glee. She is a high school cheerleader who experiences significant personal growth throughout the series.
Quinn is a fictional character from the comic book series The Sandman. They are a member of the Endless, representing the concept of dreams and storytelling.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Quinn, 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 Quinn. 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 Quinn was first seen in the United States in 1948.
Quinn has ranked as high as #182 nationally, which occurred in 2016, and has been most popular in California, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Quinn has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Quinn 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 Quinn was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Quinn (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 218 | |
| TX | 175 | |
| NY | 163 | |
| PA | 153 | |
| OH | 153 | |
| IL | 129 | |
| FL | 104 | |
| MA | 94 | |
| MN | 90 | |
| NJ | 89 | |
| WI | 81 | |
| CO | 77 | |
| VA | 77 | |
| NC | 73 | |
| WA | 70 |
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 Quinn.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 2,689 |
| 2023 | 2,853 |
| 2022 | 3,102 |
| 2021 | 3,201 |
| 2020 | 3,078 |
| 2019 | 3,208 |
| 2018 | 3,388 |
| 2017 | 3,597 |
| 2016 | 3,648 |
| 2015 | 3,095 |
| 2014 | 2,554 |
| 2013 | 2,653 |
| 2012 | 2,110 |
| 2011 | 1,692 |
| 2010 | 1,279 |
| 2009 | 630 |
| 2008 | 599 |
| 2007 | 523 |
| 2006 | 545 |
| 2005 | 407 |
| 2004 | 401 |
| 2003 | 394 |
| 2002 | 336 |
| 2001 | 306 |
| 2000 | 297 |
| 1999 | 334 |
| 1998 | 282 |
| 1997 | 206 |
| 1996 | 194 |
| 1995 | 201 |
| 1994 | 160 |
| 1993 | 131 |
| 1992 | 109 |
| 1991 | 107 |
| 1990 | 96 |
| 1989 | 78 |
| 1988 | 93 |
| 1987 | 82 |
| 1986 | 74 |
| 1985 | 80 |
| 1984 | 101 |
| 1983 | 96 |
| 1982 | 141 |
| 1981 | 97 |
| 1980 | 104 |
| 1979 | 146 |
| 1978 | 66 |
| 1977 | 8 |
| 1976 | 22 |
| 1975 | 16 |
| 1974 | 11 |
| 1972 | 12 |
| 1971 | 23 |
| 1970 | 22 |
| 1969 | 23 |
| 1968 | 22 |
| 1967 | 17 |
| 1966 | 24 |
| 1965 | 17 |
| 1964 | 14 |
| 1963 | 21 |
| 1962 | 6 |
| 1961 | 12 |
| 1960 | 7 |
| 1957 | 5 |
| 1948 | 5 |