Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Lyn
GirlWelsh, English· “short for Lynn or Linda”
- Meaning
- short for Lynn or Linda
- Origin
- Welsh, English
- Pronunciation
- LIHN
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #10,579
- US babies 2025
- 9
- Best rank
- #534 (1953)
- Peak year
- 1957
Meaning and origin of Lyn
Lyn is a Welsh and English name that is usually said to mean “short for Lynn or Linda”.
Lyn is a short form of names such as Lynn, Linda, Carolyn or Marilyn. Lynn is an English surname from the Welsh llyn, lake or pool, and it became a given name in the twentieth century. Lyn is often used as a middle name. It is said LIHN, rhyming with win. Lynn and Lin are related spellings. The name is short, simple and flexible, working as a nickname or as a full name.
Other spellings with the same sound: Lynn, Lynne, Linn, Lin, Linh.
Popularity over time
Lyn first appears in US Social Security records in 1915. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 31 different years, starting in 1939. Its best national rank was #534 in 1953, and the most babies received it in 1957, when 280 were named Lyn. In 2025, 9 babies were named Lyn, and it ranked #10,579 nationally. That is 50% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #631 in 1950, #2,569 in 1980, #16,534 in 2000, #12,992 in 2010, and #10,579 in 2025. Of the 7,220 US girls named Lyn since records began, 34% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 1,787 babies. Since 2010, 76 more have been named Lyn.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Cathie, Kathrine, Bonny, Pattie, and Terese.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Lyn is usually pronounced LIHN, with one syllable. It has three letters, starts with L and ends in “-yn”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Lynn, Lynne, Linn, and Lin.
Middle names for Lyn
A few middle names that flow with Lyn: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Lyn
Similar names
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BRIHN
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GWEHN-duh-lihn
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Marilyn Girl
MEH-ruh-luhn
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Bronwyn Girl
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“uncertain; from Norman Aveline” · English
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Madelyn Girl
MAD-uh-lihn
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Londyn Girl
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Ashlyn Girl
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“blend of Ash and Lynn” · American (modern coinage)
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Emersyn Girl
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Jane Girl
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Lists that include Lyn
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lyn mean?
Lyn is a Welsh and English name that is usually said to mean “short for Lynn or Linda”.
What is the origin of the name Lyn?
Lyn has Welsh and English roots. Lyn is a short form of names such as Lynn, Linda, Carolyn or Marilyn.
Is Lyn a popular name?
Not especially. Lyn ranked #10,579 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Lyn a boy or girl name?
Lyn is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Lyn?
Lyn is usually pronounced LIHN. 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