Glenn

Meaning of Glenn

Glenn traces back to the Gaelic word “gleann,” signifying a valley, and first appeared as a Scottish-Irish surname before migrating into given-name territory on both sides of the Atlantic. In the United States its usage rose steadily from the 1880s, reached cruising altitude in the early space-age—helped, no doubt, by astronaut-senator John Glenn—and has since glided into the mid-700s on the Social Security charts, making it familiar yet seldom duplicated. Cultural touchstones are pleasantly varied: classic-era actor Glenn Ford, Eagles guitarist Glenn Frey, and virtuoso pianist Glenn Gould each lend a different sheen, from rugged to rock to refined. Pronounced simply “glen” (/ɡlɛn/), the name is as easy on the ear as it is on paperwork, while its valley imagery offers a quiet nod to the natural world—an understated choice for parents who prefer steady contours over fleeting peaks.