Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Bryn
GirlWelsh· “hill”
- Meaning
- hill
- Origin
- Welsh
- Pronunciation
- BRIHN
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #2,021
- US babies 2025
- 94
- Best rank
- #744 (2011)
- Peak year
- 2011
Meaning and origin of Bryn
Bryn is a Welsh name that means “hill”.
Bryn is a Welsh word meaning "hill," and it is used as a given name for both boys and girls in Wales, though elsewhere it is chosen mostly for girls. It appears in many Welsh place names and in names such as Brynmor. Bryn has a crisp, one-syllable sound and a natural, grounded meaning. It feels modern and simple, pairs well with longer middle names, and is easy to spell and pronounce.
Other spellings with the same sound: Brinn, Brin.
Popularity over time
Bryn first appears in US Social Security records in 1949. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 6 different years, starting in 1999. Its best national rank was #744 in 2011, the same year it reached its highest count of 370 babies. In 2025, 94 babies were named Bryn, and it ranked #2,021 nationally. That is 57% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #4,791 in 1950, #1,607 in 1980, #1,029 in 2000, #1,092 in 2010, and #2,021 in 2025. Of the 7,532 US girls named Bryn since records began, 32% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 1,970 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Raina, Aubri, Ayleen, Audriana, and Jocelynn.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Bryn ranked highest in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Florida.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | #942 | 9 |
| Michigan | #1247 | 5 |
| Florida | #1724 | 7 |
| New York | #2148 | 5 |
| California | #2545 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 93% of US babies named Bryn over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Bryn is usually pronounced BRIHN, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with B and ends in “-yn”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Brinn and Brin.
Middle names for Bryn
A few middle names that flow with Bryn: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Bryn
Similar names
Brynn Girl
BRIHN
“hill” · Welsh
#407
Rain Unisex
RAYN
“rain” · English
#1,239
Wynn Unisex
WIHN
“fair, blessed; also 'joy'” · Welsh
#1,726
Rue Girl
ROO
“the herb rue; also regret” · English
#1,324
Bronwyn Girl
BRON-win
“white breast; fair and blessed” · Welsh
#3,916
Brooke Girl
BROOK
“small stream” · English
#313
Reese Girl
REES
“ardor, enthusiasm” · Welsh
#192
Katelyn Girl
KAYT-lihn
“form of Caitlin, from Catherine” · American (modern coinage)
#1,077
Sage Unisex
SAYJ
“wise; the herb” · Latin
#160
Skye Girl
SKY
“from the Isle of Skye” · Scottish
#532
Reece Unisex
REES
“ardor, enthusiasm” · Welsh
#460
Wren Girl
REHN
“wren, a small songbird” · English
#231
Lists that include Bryn
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Bryn mean?
Bryn is a Welsh name that means “hill”.
What is the origin of the name Bryn?
Bryn has Welsh roots. Bryn is a Welsh word meaning "hill," and it is used as a given name for both boys and girls in Wales, though elsewhere it is chosen mostly for girls.
Is Bryn a popular name?
Not especially. Bryn ranked #2,021 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Bryn a boy or girl name?
Bryn is mainly a girl's name. About 93% of US babies named Bryn over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Bryn?
Bryn is usually pronounced BRIHN. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings