"narrow valley, mountain valley"
Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Language: Scottish
Glen
Pronunciation: [ gl-EHN ]
Does Glen flow with your last name?
A Scottish valley name of quiet strength
Scottish
Irish
American
Australian
Classic
Strong
Vintage
Minimalist
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"secluded valley"
Origin: Gaelic
Language: Irish
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The Story of Glen
Glen comes from the Scottish Gaelic gleann meaning narrow valley or mountain valley. The word appears throughout Scottish and Irish place names — Glen Coe, Glen Nevis, Glendalough — describing the dramatic valleys carved by glaciers in the Highland landscape. As a given name, Glen carries the rugged beauty of the Scottish landscape and was brought to wider use by Scottish emigrants to North America and Australia.
Glen peaked in American popularity in the 1940s-60s, associated with jazz and country musicians including Glen Gray and Glen Campbell. The country legend Glenn Campbell (spelled with double n) helped define the name's friendly, musical American image. It has declined significantly since the 1980s.
In Scotland, glens are deeply woven into history and mythology — Glen Coe was the site of the 1692 Glencoe Massacre, one of the most infamous events in Scottish history. The name carries both natural grandeur and cultural weight.
Historical Record
Glen first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 68,349 babies have been named Glen in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Glen is past its peak , currently ranked #2,326 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Glen Campbell was one of the best-selling musicians of the 1960s-70s with hits like Wichita Lineman and Rhinestone Cowboy
- Scotland has hundreds of famous glens including Glen Coe, Glen Nevis, and Glen Shee
Glen in Other Languages
Irish
Gleann
Welsh
Glyn
English
Glen/Glenn
Scottish Gaelic
Gleann
Popularity Over Time
#2,326
Current Rank
Peaked 1952
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Glen
G
Glen Hansard
Musician
1970
Irish singer-songwriter, star of the film Once and co-creator of the musical
G
Glen Campbell
Musician
1936
American country and pop musician known for Rhinestone Cowboy and Wichita Lineman
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #2,326
- Total SSA Count
- 61
- Cultural Origins
- Scottish Irish American Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
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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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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Timeless choice, American 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, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Glen
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Glen
Phonetic neighbors that share Glen's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Glen is also used as a girl name, ranked #71262.
View Glen as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Scottish)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Glen
What does the name Glen mean?
"narrow valley, mountain valley" (from Scottish Gaelic). "secluded valley" (from Gaelic). Glen comes from the Scottish Gaelic gleann meaning narrow valley or mountain valley. The word appears throughout Scottish and Irish place names — Glen Coe, Glen Nevis, Glendalough — describing the dramatic valleys carved by glaciers in the Highland landscape. As a given name, Glen carries the rugged beauty of the Scottish landscape and was brought to wider use by Scottish emigrants to North America and Australia.
What is the origin of the name Glen?
Glen has Scottish Gaelic, Gaelic, Scottish, Irish, American, and Australian origins. In Scottish Gaelic, it means "narrow valley, mountain valley". In Gaelic, it means "secluded valley".
Is Glen a boy or girl name?
Glen is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2326. As a girl name, it is ranked #71262. Glen is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Glen?
Glen is pronounced gl-EHN.
How popular is the name Glen?
Glen is currently ranked #2326 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Glen?
Popular middle name pairings include Glen Allen, Glen Michael, Glen Edward, Glen James, Glen Wayne, Glen Scott, and Glen Douglas.
What are good sibling names for Glen?
Names that pair well with Glen as siblings include Grant, Gordon, Gavin, Gillian, Fiona, Douglas, and Keith.
How many syllables does Glen have?
Glen has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Glen a common or rare name?
Glen is an uncommon name, ranked #2326 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Glen?
Are there other spellings for Glen?
Related spellings include Glenn.
Browse all middle names, sibling names, or similar names.
About the Name Glen
Glen is a boy name with Scottish, Irish, American, and Australian origins . The name means "narrow valley, mountain valley" in Scottish Gaelic .
Is Glen a boy or girl name? Glen is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,326 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #71,262. Glen is more commonly used as a boy name.
Glen is currently ranked #2,326 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Glen has 1 syllable and is pronounced gl-EHN, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Glen include Glenn . 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