"hard grey quartz, fire-making stone"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Flint
Pronunciation: [ fl-IHNT ]
Does Flint flow with your last name?
Sparks fly with this bold, elemental one-syllable name
English
American
Bold
Earthy
Strong
Minimalist
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Flint
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Flint
4 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"hard, unyielding"
Origin: Proto-Germanic
Language: Germanic
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Flint
See all →What the Flint report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Flint the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Flint
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Flint head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Flint actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with Flint, Michigan water crisis (since 2015)
The Story of Flint
Flint comes from the Old English word flint, referring to the hard grey quartz rock used since prehistoric times to create fire and tools. As a given name, it evokes the rugged, elemental qualities of the stone itself — durability, sparks, and the capacity to kindle fire from seemingly cold material.
Flint fits neatly into the trend toward strong, one-syllable nature names for boys. Its association with fire-starting and resilience appeals to parents drawn to names suggesting raw capability and toughness without being aggressive.
Flint was critical to human survival for millennia, used across every continent to make fire, weapons, and tools. The name thus carries deep associations with human ingenuity and survival. However, parents should be aware of the Flint, Michigan water crisis which dominated headlines from 2014 onward.
Historical Record
Flint first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 2,451 babies have been named Flint in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Flint is past its peak , currently ranked #1,981 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Flint tools have been found at archaeological sites dating back 2.5 million years
- The phrase to strike a flint gave rise to the idea of sparking ideas
- Flintlock firearms, named for the mechanism using flint, were used through the 1800s
Flint in Other Languages
Dutch
Flint
French
Flint
German
Flint
Spanish
Flint
Popularity Over Time
#1,981
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1959
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Flint
F
Flint Lockwood Fictional
Other
Eccentric inventor protagonist of the animated film Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009)
F
Flint McCullough Fictional
Other
Scout character played by Robert Horton in the classic TV western Wagon Train
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #1,981
- Total SSA Count
- 79
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Nicknames
Fli
Fly
Flie
Flikins
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Flint
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Flint fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Flint →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Flint with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Flint
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Flint and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Flint sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Tyce
Boy
English origin
"son of Ty (informal)"
#2,037 in US
Ryver
Boy
Old French via English origin
"flowing water, river"
#1,865 in US
Lyon
Boy
Celtic/Latin origin
"light hill (from city name)"
#1,890 in US
Nile
Boy
Ancient Egyptian/Greek origin
"great river (geographic)"
#1,936 in US
Monty
Boy
Old French/Gaulish origin
"pointed mountain, hill"
#1,821 in US
Lando
Boy
Germanic origin
"land, territory"
#1,903 in US
Jed
Boy
Hebrew origin
"friend of Yahweh"
#1,993 in US
Kasyn
Boy
Irish origin
"watchful"
#2,055 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Flint's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flint
What does the name Flint mean?
"hard grey quartz, fire-making stone" (from Old English). "hard, unyielding" (from Proto-Germanic). Flint comes from the Old English word flint, referring to the hard grey quartz rock used since prehistoric times to create fire and tools. As a given name, it evokes the rugged, elemental qualities of the stone itself — durability, sparks, and the capacity to kindle fire from seemingly cold material.
What is the origin of the name Flint?
Flint has Old English, Proto-Germanic, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "hard grey quartz, fire-making stone". In Proto-Germanic, it means "hard, unyielding".
Is Flint a boy or girl name?
Flint is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Flint?
Flint is pronounced fl-IHNT.
How popular is the name Flint?
Flint is currently ranked #1981 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Flint?
Common nicknames for Flint include Fli, Fly, Flie, and Flikins.
What are good middle names for Flint?
Popular middle name pairings include Flint James, Flint William, Flint Alexander, Flint Robert, Flint Henry, Flint Thomas, and Flint Everett.
What are good sibling names for Flint?
Names that pair well with Flint as siblings include Slate, River, Blaze, Stone, Reed, Wren, and Sage.
How many syllables does Flint have?
Flint has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Flint a common or rare name?
Flint is an uncommon name, ranked #1981 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Flint
Flint is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "hard grey quartz, fire-making stone" in Old English .
Flint is currently ranked #1,981 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Flint has 1 syllable and is pronounced fl-IHNT, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Flint include Fli, Fly, Flie, and Flikins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Old English Names
Browse all names with this origin
F
Names Starting with F
More boy names like Flint
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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