"chief, leader"
Origin: Irish
Language: English
Quinn
Pronunciation: [ kw-IHN ]
Boy Name
#498 Most Popular
Steady
1 Syllable
A one-syllable punch of Irish royal heritage
Irish
English
American
Modern
Bold
Minimalist
Strong
Playful
Meaning & Origin
"wisdom, good sense"
Origin: Old Irish
Language: Irish
Things to Know About This Name
- Quinn has rapidly become popular as a girl's name — some parents use it for boys but may find it perceived as gender-neutral or feminine in some contexts
The Story of Quinn
Quinn is an anglicized form of the Irish surname 'Ó Cuinn,' meaning 'descendant of Conn.' Conn derives from the Old Irish 'conn' meaning head, chief, or sense/wisdom. The O'Quinn/O'Cuinn family were rulers of the Ulster kingdom of Tír Chonaill, making Quinn a name with genuine royal Irish heritage. Conn of the Hundred Battles was a legendary High King of Ireland, from whom many Irish clans claim descent.
Quinn has evolved from an Irish surname to a given name used for both boys and girls in the English-speaking world. It became particularly popular in the 2000s-2010s, initially more common for boys but rapidly adopted for girls as well. The TV series Glee (2009-2015) featured a prominent female character named Quinn Fabray, accelerating its use for girls.
In Ireland, Quinn is a major clan surname. As a given name, Quinn reflects the American appetite for short, punchy Irish-origin names. Its gender-neutral status makes it part of the broader modern trend toward names that work for any gender. In contemporary use, Quinn is one of the most successfully gender-neutral names in English.
Fun Facts
- Conn of the Hundred Battles, the legendary ancestor of all O'Quinns, is said to have fought 100 battles as High King of Ireland
- Quinn is one of the most successfully gender-neutral names in modern English — equally used for boys and girls without either use dominating
Quinn in Other Languages
Irish
Conn/Ó Cuinn
French
Quinn
German
Quinn
Spanish
Quinn
Japanese
クイン
Famous People Named Quinn
Q
Quinn Hughes
Athlete
2000
Canadian ice hockey defenseman, one of the top young players in the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks
A
Anthony Quinn
Actor
1915
Mexican-American actor who won two Academy Awards, known for Zorba the Greek and Lawrence of Arabia
Q
Quinn Fabray Fictional
Other
Character from the TV series Glee, the head cheerleader whose life is more complicated than it seems
H
Harley Quinn Fictional
Other
DC Comics character and Batman villain/antihero, the Joker's chaotic and popular sidekick
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #498
- Total SSA Count
- 615
- Cultural Origins
- Irish English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Nicknames
Qui
Quy
Quiie
Pairs Well With
Quinn James
Quinn Thomas
Quinn Alexander
Quinn Patrick
Quinn Robert
Quinn Michael
Quinn William
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Quinn is also used as a girl name, ranked #96.
View Quinn as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Quinn
What does the name Quinn mean?
"chief, leader" (from Irish). "wisdom, good sense" (from Old Irish). Quinn is an anglicized form of the Irish surname 'Ó Cuinn,' meaning 'descendant of Conn.' Conn derives from the Old Irish 'conn' meaning head, chief, or sense/wisdom. The O'Quinn/O'Cuinn family were rulers of the Ulster kingdom of Tír Chonaill, making Quinn a name with genuine royal Irish heritage. Conn of the Hundred Battles was a legendary High King of Ireland, from whom many Irish clans claim descent.
What is the origin of the name Quinn?
Quinn has Irish, Old Irish, English, and American origins. In Irish, it means "chief, leader". In Old Irish, it means "wisdom, good sense".
Is Quinn a boy or girl name?
Quinn is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #498. As a girl name, it is ranked #96. Quinn is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Quinn?
Quinn is pronounced kw-IHN.
How popular is the name Quinn?
Quinn is currently ranked #498 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Quinn?
Common nicknames for Quinn include Qui, Quy, and Quiie.
What are good middle names for Quinn?
Popular middle name pairings include Quinn James, Quinn Thomas, Quinn Alexander, Quinn Patrick, Quinn Robert, Quinn Michael, and Quinn William.
What are good sibling names for Quinn?
Names that pair well with Quinn as siblings include Declan, Ronan, Brennan, Fiona, Siobhan, Brent, and Cait.
How many syllables does Quinn have?
Quinn has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Quinn a common or rare name?
Quinn is a popular name, ranked #498 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Quinn
Quinn is a boy name with Irish, English, and American origins . The name means "chief, leader" in Irish .
Is Quinn a boy or girl name? Quinn is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #498 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #96. Quinn is more commonly used as a girl name.
Quinn is currently ranked #498 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Quinn has 1 syllable and is pronounced kw-IHN, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Quinn include Qui, Quy, and Quiie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Quinn include Quincy, Quinton, Quintin, Quinten, Quinlan . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.