A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Orin since 1880
Babies named Orin per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Orin's real moment was 1885.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 153 |
| 1890s | 115 |
| 1900s | 147 |
| 1910s | 635 |
| 1920s | 811 |
| 1930s | 524 |
| 1940s | 491 |
| 1950s | 392 |
| 1960s | 312 |
| 1970s | 357 |
| 1980s | 368 |
| 1990s | 307 |
| 2000s | 428 |
| 2010s | 764 |
| 2020s | 479 |
Meaning & origin
Orin is a short, melodic name with a handful of plausible origins, none of which can be firmly settled. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1880, an early year for official record-keeping, and reached its peak popularity in 1885, more than a century ago. After a long period of relative obscurity, the name began rising again in 1996, a trajectory that continues into the present. In 2025 it ranked 1852, with about 1 in every 20,095 boys receiving the name. Geographically, Orin has shown the strongest relative popularity in Michigan, Illinois, and Texas. Parents drawn to simple, vowel-rich names may find Orin an attractive alternative to more common choices like Owen or Ethan. Its meaning, whether 'pale green' from the Irish or 'pine' from the Hebrew, evokes nature and a gentle spirit, though the true etymology remains open to interpretation.
The name Orin has several possible origins. It may be an Anglicized form of the Irish name Odhrán, meaning 'little pale green one' or 'little sallow one,' or it could derive from the Hebrew name Oren, meaning 'pine tree' or 'ash.' In modern usage, Orin may represent a phonetic variation of similar-sounding names. The name appears in U.S. records as early as 1880 and has seen periodic use, with a small revival since the 1990s.
Where Orin is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Orin” around the world
Where Orin lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Orrie, Rin
Sibling names for Orin
Names that share Orin's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Maeve, Nora, Clara, Fiona, Audra, Lorina, Daphine, Loran, Neoma, Arta, Derinda, Odean, Olean, Onita, Towana, Verba, Wyona, Chlora, Leara, Oveta, Perline, Zeda, Adine, Inola, Isma, Loneta, Malyna, Mliss, Ocia, Oreta, Simora, Veora
Brothers: Owen, Liam, Finn, Declan, Ewan, Arlin, Darwyn, Eulas, Oree, Undra, Audel, Kaire, Kewan, Kron, Lanis, Oland, Orbin, Areon, Orlander, Oshen, Raden
