"chief, leader"
Origin: Irish
Language: English
Quinn
Pronunciation: [ kw-IHN ]
Does Quinn flow with your last name?
A one-syllable punch of Irish royal heritage
Irish
English
American
Modern
Bold
Minimalist
Strong
Playful
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Quinn
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Quinn
4 shorthand options for every setting
Fantasy Names
Quinn as a Fantasy Character
Human lore, pronunciation, D&D class tips
Meaning & Origin
"wisdom, good sense"
Origin: Old Irish
Language: Irish
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Quinn
See all →What the Quinn report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Quinn 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 Quinn
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Quinn head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Quinn 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
- 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.
Historical Record
Quinn first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 35,902 babies have been named Quinn in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Quinn is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #498 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#498
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Names You Might Also Love
See all →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
Quie
Quikins
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
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Quinn
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Quinn fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Quinn is also used as a girl name, ranked #96.
View Quinn as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Quinn →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 Quinn with...
Same Origin Names (Irish)
See all Irish names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Quinn
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Quinn and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Quinn 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 →
Raiden
Boy
Japanese Shinto origin
"thunder god"
#449 in US
Rome
Boy
Latin origin
"from Rome, the Eternal City"
#454 in US
Erick
Boy
Old Norse origin
"always powerful"
#333 in US
Daxton
Boy
Modern American origin
"warrior's town"
#412 in US
Cairo
Boy
Arabic (Al-Qahira) origin
"the victorious (Arabic city name)"
#356 in US
Davis
Boy
Hebrew (Dawid) via David origin
"beloved"
#646 in US
Lawson
Boy
Latin origin
"man of laurels, from Laurentum"
#416 in US
Brian
Boy
Celtic origin
"noble, high"
#301 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Quinn's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
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, Quie, and Quikins.
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.
What boy names are similar to Quinn?
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, Quie, and Quikins. 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.
Keep Exploring
Irish Names
Browse all names with this origin
Q
Names Starting with Q
More boy names like Quinn
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
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