Flynn

Meaning & origin

Flynn is an Irish surname turned given name, carrying the meaning 'son of the red-haired one.' Its use as a first name began to rise in the United States after 1987, when it re-entered the U.S. naming charts following a long absence. By 2021, the name reached its peak popularity at rank 394, with over 800 births that year. In 2025, Flynn ranked 827th, with approximately 1 in 5,713 boys receiving the name. The name is most popular in Maine, Idaho, and Oregon, reflecting a regional preference for Irish heritage names. Flynn shares stylistic ground with other short, consonant-heavy Irish names like Finn and Quinn, and has been used for both boys and girls in recent years, though it remains predominantly masculine. Its association with Hollywood's Errol Flynn gives it a dash of vintage glamour, but the name stands on its own as a modern, brisk choice.

Flynn is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Floinn, meaning 'descendant of Flann,' where Flann is a personal name meaning 'red' or 'ruddy,' likely referring to hair color. The name was common in medieval Ireland, particularly in counties Cork and Kerry. As a given name, Flynn gained popularity in the late 20th century, partly influenced by the actor Errol Flynn.