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Name Lineage

    The first name Flynn

    A boy’s name from Irish meaning “descendant of flann (red)”.

    Pronounced /flɪn/ 1 syllable Male Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    Irish origin

    Flynn means “descendant of flann (red)” in Irish.

    Anglicized from Irish Ó Floinn, "descendant of Flann (red)".

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 218 boys were named Flynn, making it the 227th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2014, with 418 births (#137).

    0250500 1996200020052010201520202025
    6,405
    babies named Flynn, 1996–2025
    #227
    rank in 2025
    2014
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Flynn with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Flynn at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 299 boys born in the United States were named Flynn, the 828th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2021, when 418 were.

    0250500 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    GirlsBoys
    7,160
    babies named Flynn since 1880
    #828
    rank in 2025
    2021
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Famous people named Flynn

    5 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Lara Flynn Boyle
      American actress (born 1970)
    • Flynn Downes
      English association football player (born 1999)
    • Flynn Southam
      Australian swimmer, born 2005
    • Flynn Robinson
      American basketball player (1941–2013)
    • Flynn Ogilvie
      Field hockey player, born 1993

    More Irish boys’ names

    All 142 names of Irish origin

    Questions

    What does the name Flynn mean?
    Flynn means “descendant of flann (red)” in Irish.
    What is the origin of the name Flynn?
    Anglicized from Irish Ó Floinn, "descendant of Flann (red)".
    How popular is the name Flynn?
    In 2025, 218 boys born in England and Wales were named Flynn, ranking 227th. Its peak was 2014, with 418 births.
    Is Flynn a boy's or a girl's name?
    Both. Of the 7,160 US babies named Flynn since 1880, 7% were girls and 93% boys.
    When was Flynn most popular?
    2021 in the United States, when 418 babies were named Flynn, its highest rank at 654th.
    How do you pronounce Flynn?
    Flynn is /flɪn/, one syllable.
    Is Flynn also a surname?
    Yes. Flynn is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.