Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Wren
GirlEnglish, Old English· “wren, a small songbird”
- Meaning
- wren, a small songbird
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- REHN
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #231
- US babies 2025
- 1,331
- Best rank
- #184 (2022)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Wren
Wren is an English and Old English name that means “wren, a small songbird”.
Wren is the English name for a tiny, lively songbird, from the Old English wrenna. In European folklore the wren was often called the king of birds, and in parts of Ireland and Britain it still features in traditional customs around Saint Stephen's Day. As a surname it is best known through Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of Saint Paul's Cathedral in London. As a given name Wren has become a favorite among parents drawn to short, nature-inspired names. It is gentle but distinctive, easy to spell and pronounce, and it pairs well with longer, more traditional middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Ren, Renne, Renn, Wrenn.
Famous parents who chose Wren: Chrissy Teigen and John Legend (2023). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
Wren first appears in US Social Security records in 1888. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 14 different years, starting in 2012. Its best national rank was #184 in 2022, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,609 babies. In 2025, 1,331 babies were named Wren, and it ranked #231 nationally. That is 229% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #6,785 in 1980, #6,201 in 2000, #1,291 in 2010, and #231 in 2025. Of the 13,641 US girls named Wren since records began, 59% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 4,477 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Myla, Zuri, Journee, Aspen, and Zara.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Wren ranked highest in Montana, Idaho, and Alaska.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | #32 | 18 |
| Idaho | #57 | 29 |
| Alaska | #88 | 8 |
| Utah | #94 | 45 |
| South Dakota | #95 | 11 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 87% of US babies named Wren over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Wren is usually pronounced REHN, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with W and ends in “-en”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Ren, Renne, Renn, and Wrenn.
Middle names for Wren
A few middle names that flow with Wren: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Wren
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Lists that include Wren
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Wren mean?
Wren is an English and Old English name that means “wren, a small songbird”.
What is the origin of the name Wren?
Wren has English and Old English roots. Wren is the English name for a tiny, lively songbird, from the Old English wrenna.
Is Wren a popular name?
Yes. Wren ranked #231 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Wren a boy or girl name?
Wren is mainly a girl's name. About 87% of US babies named Wren over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Wren?
Wren is usually pronounced REHN. 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