Declining since 1994, #13,208 for girls today.
Popularity of Flannery since 1980
Babies named Flannery per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 86 |
| 1990s | 164 |
| 2000s | 154 |
| 2010s | 129 |
| 2020s | 47 |
Meaning & origin
Flannery entered the U.S. baby name records in 1980, a relatively late debut for a name now closely associated with the acclaimed Southern Gothic writer Flannery O'Connor. The name reached its peak popularity in 2006, ranking highest among girls, and has since seen a gradual decline, falling for several decades since 1994. Despite its modest rank of 13,208 in 2025 and an incidence of just 1 in 267,878 newborns, Flannery retains a distinctive literary charm. Its Irish roots give it a strong, melodic quality, and its rarity appeals to parents seeking an uncommon yet familiar-sounding name. The name's trajectory reflects a pattern of quiet appreciation rather than widespread trendiness.
Flannery is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Flannghaile, meaning 'descendant of Flannghal'. The root flann means 'red' or 'ruddy', and gal means 'valor' or 'fury'. Originally a surname, it gained use as a given name in the late 20th century, partly due to the fame of American writer Flannery O'Connor.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Flan, Flannie, Anne
Variants: Flannary, Flannerye
Sibling names for Flannery
Names that share Flannery's style, for a brother or sister.
