Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Lynne
GirlWelsh, English· “variant of Lynn, lake”
- Meaning
- variant of Lynn, lake
- Origin
- Welsh, English
- Pronunciation
- LIHN
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #14,259
- US babies 2025
- 6
- Best rank
- #144 (1951)
- Peak year
- 1960
Meaning and origin of Lynne
Lynne is a Welsh and English name that is usually said to mean “variant of Lynn, lake”.
Lynne is a spelling of Lynn, which comes from the Welsh llyn, lake or pool. The same word appears in English place names such as King's Lynn in Norfolk, and Lynn became a surname before it became a first name. It was also used as a short form of Linda and Carolyn. Lynn and Lynne were very popular for American girls in the middle of the twentieth century, often as middle names, and the final e gives this version a more feminine look. It is said LIHN.
Other spellings with the same sound: Lynn, Lyn, Linn, Lin, Linh.
Popularity over time
Lynne first appears in US Social Security records in 1907. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 53 different years, starting in 1931. Its best national rank was #144 in 1951, and the most babies received it in 1960, when 2,458 were named Lynne. In 2025, 6 babies were named Lynne, and it ranked #14,259 nationally. That is 40% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,429 in 1920, #153 in 1950, #781 in 1980, #4,359 in 2000, #8,554 in 2010, and #14,259 in 2025. Of the 61,957 US girls named Lynne since records began, 36% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 16,907 babies. Since 2010, 173 more have been named Lynne.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Carmen, Teri, Shelia, Tami, and Toni.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Lynne is usually pronounced LIHN, with one syllable. It has five letters, starts with L and ends in “-ne”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Lynn, Lyn, Linn, and Lin.
Middle names for Lynne
A few middle names that flow with Lynne: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Lynne
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Lists that include Lynne
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lynne mean?
Lynne is a Welsh and English name that is usually said to mean “variant of Lynn, lake”.
What is the origin of the name Lynne?
Lynne has Welsh and English roots. Lynne is a spelling of Lynn, which comes from the Welsh llyn, lake or pool.
Is Lynne a popular name?
Not especially. Lynne ranked #14,259 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Lynne a boy or girl name?
Lynne is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Lynne?
Lynne 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