Flynn

Pronunciation: [ fl-IHN ]

Boy Name #738 Most Popular Rising 1 Syllable

A dashing Irish classic with a hero's swagger

Irish English Australian American

Strong Modern Playful Bold Classic

Meaning & Origin

"son of the red-haired one"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Language: Irish

"descendant of Flann (ruddy, red)"

Origin: Old Irish

Language: Irish

The Story of Flynn

Flynn is an Anglicized form of the Irish surname O Floinn, meaning 'descendant of Flann.' Flann is an old Irish word meaning 'red' or 'ruddy,' originally used to describe someone with red hair. The O Floinn clan was historically powerful in County Roscommon, where they ruled as chieftains for generations. As Irish immigration spread the surname worldwide, it gradually became adopted as a given name in the 20th century.

Flynn gained traction as a first name through the golden-age Hollywood fame of actor Errol Flynn. A second, bigger wave came with the 2010 Disney film Tangled, whose charming protagonist Flynn Rider made the name feel dashing and adventurous for a new generation of parents.

In Irish culture, the Flynn clan has deep roots in Connacht. As a first name, Flynn carries the breezy confidence of a classic Irish surname name while sounding effortlessly contemporary, fitting perfectly into the broader wave of surname-as-first-name popularity.

Fun Facts

Errol Flynn's charisma inspired the phrase 'in like Flynn,' meaning to be effortlessly successful or welcomed
Flynn Rider is the protagonist of Disney's Tangled (2010), helping bring the name to a new generation of parents

Flynn in Other Languages

Irish Flann

French Flynn

English Flynn

Spanish Flynn

Famous People Named Flynn

Errol Flynn

Actor

1909

Australian-American Hollywood actor famed for swashbuckling roles in The Adventures of Robin Hood and Captain Blood

Flynn Rider Fictional

Other

Protagonist of Disney's Tangled (2010), a charming thief-turned-hero based on the Rapunzel tale

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 1
Popularity Rank: #738
Total SSA Count: 351
Cultural Origins: Irish English Australian American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Nicknames

Fly Flyie

Pairs Well With

Flynn William Flynn Thomas Flynn James Flynn Alexander Flynn Reid Flynn Patrick Flynn Henry

Sibling Names

Finn Declan Callum Rory Nora Fiona Isla

Also a Girl Name

Flynn is also used as a girl name, ranked #6985.

View Flynn as a girl name →

Similar Names

Queen Lynn Ben Glenn Finley Phineas Galen Gwen

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Flynn and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Flynn sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name

Browse more boy names →

Explore 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

Frequently Asked Questions About Flynn

What does the name Flynn mean?

"son of the red-haired one" (from Irish Gaelic). "descendant of Flann (ruddy, red)" (from Old Irish). Flynn is an Anglicized form of the Irish surname O Floinn, meaning 'descendant of Flann.' Flann is an old Irish word meaning 'red' or 'ruddy,' originally used to describe someone with red hair. The O Floinn clan was historically powerful in County Roscommon, where they ruled as chieftains for generations. As Irish immigration spread the surname worldwide, it gradually became adopted as a given name in the 20th century.

What is the origin of the name Flynn?

Flynn has Irish Gaelic, Old Irish, Irish, English, Australian, and American origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "son of the red-haired one". In Old Irish, it means "descendant of Flann (ruddy, red)".

Is Flynn a boy or girl name?

Flynn is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #738. As a girl name, it is ranked #6985. Flynn is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Flynn?

Flynn is pronounced fl-IHN.

How popular is the name Flynn?

Flynn is currently ranked #738 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Flynn?

Common nicknames for Flynn include Fly and Flyie.

What are good middle names for Flynn?

Popular middle name pairings include Flynn William, Flynn Thomas, Flynn James, Flynn Alexander, Flynn Reid, Flynn Patrick, and Flynn Henry.

What are good sibling names for Flynn?

Names that pair well with Flynn as siblings include Finn, Declan, Callum, Rory, Nora, Fiona, and Isla.

How many syllables does Flynn have?

Flynn has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Flynn a common or rare name?

Flynn is moderately common, ranked #738 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Flynn

Flynn is a boy name with Irish, English, Australian, and American origins . The name means "son of the red-haired one" in Irish Gaelic .

Is Flynn a boy or girl name? Flynn is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #738 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #6,985. Flynn is more commonly used as a boy name.

Flynn is currently ranked #738 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Flynn has 1 syllable and is pronounced fl-IHN, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Flynn include Fly and Flyie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.