"valley, narrow glen"
Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Language: English
Glenn
Pronunciation: [ gl-EHN ]
Does Glenn flow with your last name?
A Scottish valley name with jazz-age charm
Scottish
Irish
American
Australian
Classic
Vintage
Strong
Earthy
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Nicknames
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4 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"dweller in the valley"
Origin: Old Celtic
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with the 1960s-70s era; may feel dated to some parents
The Story of Glenn
Glenn derives from the Scottish Gaelic 'gleann,' meaning a narrow valley or glen. The word describes the characteristic narrow mountain valleys found throughout the Scottish Highlands and Ireland. As a given name, Glenn (and its variant Glen) transitioned from a surname or place-name element to a first name during the 19th and early 20th centuries, following the Victorian-era fashion for nature-derived and Celtic names.
Glenn reached peak popularity in the United States during the 1940s-1960s, boosted by cultural figures like Glenn Miller and John Glenn. The name has declined steadily since the 1970s but retains a warm, nostalgic quality for older generations. It's currently rare enough to feel distinctive rather than dated.
The Scottish glen is one of the most iconic landscape features of the Highlands, giving this name a deep connection to Celtic geography and culture. In jazz history, Glenn Miller's contributions during the Big Band era gave the name a musical legacy that endures.
Historical Record
Glenn first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 144,764 babies have been named Glenn in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Glenn is past its peak , currently ranked #1,366 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Glenn Miller's 'In the Mood' is one of the best-selling physical singles of all time, making his name synonymous with the Big Band era
- John Glenn became a US Senator after his career as an astronaut — and at age 77 became the oldest person to fly in space
Glenn in Other Languages
Irish
Gleann
Welsh
Glyn
French
Glenn
German
Glenn
Scottish Gaelic
Gleann
Popularity Over Time
#1,366
Current Rank
Peaked 1962
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Glenn
G
Glenn Close
Actor
1947
American actress with eight Academy Award nominations, known for Fatal Attraction and The Wife
J
John Glenn
Politician
1921
American astronaut and US Senator, the first American to orbit Earth (1962) and later the oldest person in space (1998)
G
Glenn Miller
Musician
1904
American big band musician, arranger, and bandleader who led one of the best-known bands of the Swing Era
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Compare Glenn with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #1,366
- Total SSA Count
- 138
- Cultural Origins
- Scottish Irish American Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Nicknames
Gle
Gly
Glie
Glekins
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Glenn
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Glenn is also used as a girl name, ranked #71599.
View Glenn as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Scottish)
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Persian extended meaning origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Glenn
What does the name Glenn mean?
"valley, narrow glen" (from Scottish Gaelic). "dweller in the valley" (from Old Celtic). Glenn derives from the Scottish Gaelic 'gleann,' meaning a narrow valley or glen. The word describes the characteristic narrow mountain valleys found throughout the Scottish Highlands and Ireland. As a given name, Glenn (and its variant Glen) transitioned from a surname or place-name element to a first name during the 19th and early 20th centuries, following the Victorian-era fashion for nature-derived and Celtic names.
What is the origin of the name Glenn?
Glenn has Scottish Gaelic, Old Celtic, Scottish, Irish, American, and Australian origins. In Scottish Gaelic, it means "valley, narrow glen". In Old Celtic, it means "dweller in the valley".
Is Glenn a boy or girl name?
Glenn is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1366. As a girl name, it is ranked #71599. Glenn is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Glenn?
Glenn is pronounced gl-EHN.
How popular is the name Glenn?
Glenn is currently ranked #1366 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Glenn?
Common nicknames for Glenn include Gle, Gly, Glie, and Glekins.
What are good middle names for Glenn?
Popular middle name pairings include Glenn Michael, Glenn Robert, Glenn Thomas, Glenn Alan, Glenn David, Glenn Patrick, and Glenn Martin.
What are good sibling names for Glenn?
Names that pair well with Glenn as siblings include Craig, Scott, Donna, Linda, Bruce, Dawn, and Neil.
How many syllables does Glenn have?
Glenn has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Glenn a common or rare name?
Glenn is an uncommon name, ranked #1366 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Glenn?
Are there other spellings for Glenn?
Related spellings include Glen.
About the Name Glenn
Glenn is a boy name with Scottish, Irish, American, and Australian origins . The name means "valley, narrow glen" in Scottish Gaelic .
Is Glenn a boy or girl name? Glenn is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,366 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #71,599. Glenn is more commonly used as a boy name.
Glenn is currently ranked #1,366 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Glenn has 1 syllable and is pronounced gl-EHN, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Glenn include Gle, Gly, Glie, and Glekins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Glenn include Glen . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis