Rising since 1989, #214 for girls today.
Popularity of Lennon since 1913
Babies named Lennon per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 21 |
| 1920s | 0 | 77 |
| 1930s | 0 | 64 |
| 1940s | 0 | 110 |
| 1950s | 0 | 124 |
| 1960s | 0 | 134 |
| 1970s | 0 | 121 |
| 1980s | 11 | 237 |
| 1990s | 53 | 301 |
| 2000s | 333 | 1,222 |
| 2010s | 4,506 | 3,437 |
| 2020s | 7,673 | 2,155 |
Meaning & origin
Lennon has been a rising given name in the United States since the late 1980s, with its trajectory climbing steadily from 1989 onward. It first appeared in Social Security records in 1981, and by 2025 it reached its peak rank of 214, with a frequency of 1 in 1131 births. The name is most popular in the Plains states, particularly North Dakota, South Dakota, and Maine, indicating a strong regional preference. Its association with John Lennon gives it a musical and countercultural edge, but its Irish origin ties it to a rich heritage of surnames turned first names.
Lennon is a modern given name derived from the Irish surname Ó Leannáin, meaning 'descendant of Leannán.' The surname originated in County Fermanagh, and the given name gained widespread use in the late 20th century, notably after the Beatles' John Lennon. It has been used for both boys and girls since 1981.
Where Lennon is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Lennon” around the world
Where Lennon lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Ireland
17
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Len, Lenny
Sibling names for Lennon
Names that share Lennon's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Lennon
Names whose popularity has moved with Lennon's over the last 50 years.
