Glenn

Pronunciation: [ gl-EHN ]

Boy Name #1,366 Most Popular Hidden Gem 1 Syllable

A Scottish valley name with jazz-age charm

Scottish Irish American Australian

Classic Vintage Strong Earthy Minimalist

Meaning & Origin

"valley, narrow glen"

Origin: Scottish Gaelic

Language: English

"dweller in the valley"

Origin: Old Celtic

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Glenn

Glenn Close

Actor

1947

American actress with eight Academy Award nominations, known for Fatal Attraction and The Wife

John Glenn

Politician

1921

American astronaut and US Senator, the first American to orbit Earth (1962) and later the oldest person in space (1998)

Glenn Miller

Musician

1904

American big band musician, arranger, and bandleader who led one of the best-known bands of the Swing Era

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

Glen #2326

Nicknames

Gle Gly Gleie

Pairs Well With

Glenn Michael Glenn Robert Glenn Thomas Glenn Alan Glenn David Glenn Patrick Glenn Martin

Sibling Names

Craig Scott Donna Linda Bruce Dawn Neil

Also a Girl Name

Glenn is also used as a girl name, ranked #71599.

View Glenn as a girl name →

Similar Names

Gene Galen Ryan Flint Flynn Quinn Penn Finn

Playground Safety

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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, and Gleie.

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.

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, and Gleie. 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.