Lynn

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Lynn

Gender: Feminine and Masculine
Language: English
Etymology:
Lynn comes from many different sources. It can be:
1. A short form of Lynnette, when Lynnette is an alternate form of Linnet, which is an Anglicized form of the medieval Welsh name Eluned, or Eiluned (which means “Idol”).
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2. It is a short form of Linda (which can mean “Pretty,” or “Snake”)
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3. It is short for names that end in “lyn,” “lin”, or “line” like Carolyn, or Madeleine.
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4. It comes from the surname Lynn, which means “Stream” or “Lake.”
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5. It is another form of the German name Lynna, which means “Cascade.”
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6. It comes from the Germanic surnames Linne, or Linde, meaning “Lime Tree,” or “Linden Tree.”

History:
In the 19th century, the name Lynn was either a masculine name taken from a surname, or as a feminine name, from shortening of Lynnette (a form of the Welsh name Eluned), which had been popularized by Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s character in The Idylls of the King. Later on, it became highly popular as a feminine name due to a variety of influences (Linda especially). It is also very common as a middle name for girls. As a male name, it is nearly extinct.

Pronunciation: lin.

Alternates (feminine): Lina, Line, Linette, Linnet, Linnette, Lyn, Lyne, Lynna, Lynne, Lynnelle, Lynnet, Lynnette.

See also: Lynne, Lina, Lynnette.

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Lynn Chadwick (m., 1914-)
English sculptor.
Lynn Seymour (f., 1939-)
Canadian ballerina.

Educators, Scholars, and Social Workers:
Lynn Thorndike (m., 1882-1965)
American historian.
T. Lynn Smith (m. 1903-1976)
American sociologist.
Lynn White (m., 1907-1987)
American historian.
Lynn Hoffman (f., 1924-)
American marriage therapist.

Miscellaneous:
Lynn A. Townsend (m., 1919-)
CEO of the Chrysler corporation.

Places:
Lynn Lake
Manitoba, Canada.

Political Figures:
Lynn Joseph Frazier (m., 1874-1947)
Governor of North Dakota.

Scientists:
Lynn M. Riddiford (f., 1936-)
American entomologist.
Lynn Ray Sykes (m., 1937-)
American seismologist.
Lynn Margulis (f., 1938-)
American cell biologist.

Singers and Entertainers:
Lynn Redgrave (f., 1943-)
British actress.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census, for males:
0.038 % named Lynn

Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census, for females:
0.135 % named Lynn
0.043 % named Lynne
0.033 % named Lynette
0.011 % named Lina
0.010 % named Lynnette
0.006 % named Lyn
0.003 % named Linette
0.001 % named Lynna
0.001 % named Lynetta

Popularity of Lynn for males:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1910: 303rd most popular.
1910-1920: 280th most popular.
1920-1930: 320th most popular.
1930-1940: 235th most popular.
1940-1950: 162nd most popular.
1950-1960: 206th most popular.
1960-1970: 319th most popular.
1970-1980: 539th most popular.
1980-1990: 864th most popular.
1990-2000: N/A

Popularity of Lynn for females:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1910: 844th most popular.
1910-1920: 828th most popular.
1920-1930: 835th most popular.
1930-1940: 345th most popular.
1940-1950: 113th most popular.
1950-1960: 67th most popular.
1960-1970: 72nd most popular.
1970-1980: 169th most popular.
1980-1990: 346th most popular.
1990: 604th most popular.
1991: 661st most popular.
1992: 745th most popular.
1993: 784th most popular.
1994: 784th most popular.
1995: 921st most popular.
1996: 944th most popular.
1997: N/A