Boy · 70th of 7,552
Glenn
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
250,653
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1962
Peak Popularity Year
7,391
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Glenn stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Glenn originates from Scottish Gaelic, meaning 'valley'. It has evolved from the Gaelic 'gleann' and has become a modern English name. It is known for its strong, simple traits and has no biblical relevance. Glenn has gained popularity since the 20th century and is often associated with nature.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ɡlɛn/
Origin
Scottish Gaelic
Etymology
The name Glenn is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word 'gleann', which means 'valley'. It has been used as a given name since the 20th century.
Meaning
valley
Language Evolution
Gleann (Gaelic), Glen (Old Scottish), Glenn (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Glenn gained popularity in the United States during the 20th century, particularly after the mid-1900s.
Variants & Derivatives
Glen, Glenda, Glennie
Modern Popularity & Image
Glenn is often perceived as a strong and simple name. It is associated with a sense of nature and peace due to its meaning.
Famous People
Glenn Close (actress), Glenn Frey (musician), Glenn Beck (political commentator)
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 7,391 peak births in 1962
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Hawaii
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 84th of 7545 | 36,353 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 77th of 6773 | 45,771 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 70th of 7552 | 107,833 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 128th of 10718 | 36,212 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 284th of 16616 | 13,656 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 713th of 24088 | 4,561 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1307th of 23106 | 1,705 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1400th of 9107 | 559 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1710th of 9204 | 410 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2090th of 12526 | 525 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 4126th of 19264 | 232 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 6516th of 27321 | 189 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 22670th of 35406 | 28 |