Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Glenn
BoyScottish· “valley”
- Meaning
- valley
- Origin
- Scottish
- Pronunciation
- GLEHN
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,443
- US babies 2025
- 124
- Best rank
- #55 (1962)
- Peak year
- 1962
Meaning and origin of Glenn
Glenn is a Scottish name that means “valley”.
Glenn comes from the Scottish Gaelic word gleann, "valley," usually a narrow, steep-sided valley in the Highlands. It began as a Scottish surname for someone who lived in such a place and became a popular given name in the twentieth century. Big-band leader Glenn Miller, astronaut and senator John Glenn and pianist Glenn Gould all helped make it familiar, and actress Glenn Close showed that it can work for girls too. The name is short, steady and friendly, with a quiet outdoorsy meaning. Today it has a mid-century feel, and it could appeal to parents who want a simple one-syllable classic.
Other spellings with the same sound: Glen.
Popularity over time
Glenn has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 129 different years. Its best national rank was #55 in 1962, the same year it reached its highest count of 7,356 babies. In 2025, 124 babies were named Glenn, and it ranked #1,443 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #80 in 1920, #59 in 1950, #215 in 1980, #591 in 2000, #1,026 in 2010, and #1,443 in 2025. Of the 248,642 US boys named Glenn since records began, 24% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 48,095 babies. Since 2010, 2,364 more have been named Glenn.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Chris, Barry, Tony, Vincent, and Martin.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Glenn ranked highest in Wisconsin, Alabama, and Washington.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | #647 | 7 |
| Alabama | #801 | 5 |
| Washington | #837 | 7 |
| Missouri | #909 | 5 |
| North Carolina | #963 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Glenn is usually pronounced GLEHN, with one syllable. It has five letters, starts with G and ends in “-nn”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Glen.
Middle names for Glenn
A few middle names that flow with Glenn: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Glenn
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Lists that include Glenn
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Glenn mean?
Glenn is a Scottish name that means “valley”.
What is the origin of the name Glenn?
Glenn has Scottish roots. Glenn comes from the Scottish Gaelic word gleann, "valley," usually a narrow, steep-sided valley in the Highlands.
Is Glenn a popular name?
Not especially. Glenn ranked #1,443 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Glenn a boy or girl name?
Glenn is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Glenn?
Glenn is usually pronounced GLEHN. 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