Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Orin
BoyIrish· “little pale green one”
- Meaning
- little pale green one
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- OR-ihn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,859
- US babies 2025
- 85
- Best rank
- #391 (1880)
- Peak year
- 1920
Meaning and origin of Orin
Orin is an Irish name that is usually said to mean “little pale green one”.
Orin is usually traced to the Irish Odhrán, from odhar, a word for a dun, pale or sallow color, with a diminutive ending, often translated as little pale green one. Saint Odhrán of Iona was a companion of Saint Columba. Orin is also used in English as a variant of Oren, a Hebrew name meaning pine tree, and the two sources can overlap in American use. It is said OR-ihn. Related names include Oran, Odhran and Oren, and it has a short, soft sound that works well as a first or middle name.
Other spellings with the same sound: Orrin.
Popularity over time
Orin 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 67 different years. Its best national rank was #391 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 1920, when 111 were named Orin. In 2025, 85 babies were named Orin, and it ranked #1,859 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #597 in 1920, #1,048 in 1950, #1,897 in 1980, #2,608 in 2000, #2,348 in 2010, and #1,859 in 2025. Of the 6,283 US boys named Orin since records began, 13% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 764 babies. Since 2010, 1,243 more have been named Orin.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Haskell, Buck, Eldred, Dee, and Florian.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Orin ranked highest in Michigan, Illinois, and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | #1222 | 5 |
| Illinois | #1433 | 5 |
| Texas | #2488 | 6 |
| California | #2713 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Orin over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Orin is usually pronounced OR-ihn, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with O and ends in “-in”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Orrin.
Middle names for Orin
A few middle names that flow with Orin: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Orin
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Lists that include Orin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Orin mean?
Orin is an Irish name that is usually said to mean “little pale green one”.
What is the origin of the name Orin?
Orin has Irish roots. Orin is usually traced to the Irish Odhrán, from odhar, a word for a dun, pale or sallow color, with a diminutive ending, often translated as little pale green one.
Is Orin a popular name?
Not especially. Orin ranked #1,859 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Orin a boy or girl name?
Orin is mainly a boy's name. About 99% of US babies named Orin over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Orin?
Orin is usually pronounced OR-ihn. 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