What Does the Name Flynn Mean?
Flynn is a unisex name of Irish (Gaelic) origin meaning “descendant of the red-haired one.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Flynn |
|---|---|
| Gender | unisex |
| Origin | Irish (Gaelic) |
| Meaning | descendant of the red-haired one |
| Variants | Flinn, Flyn, Flann |
| Popularity | Most popular in Ireland, Australia, and the United States; predominantly given to boys but used occasionally for girls, making it lightly unisex. |
The meaning and origin of Flynn
The name Flynn means “descendant of the red-haired one” and has Irish (Gaelic) origins. An Anglicized form of the Irish surname O Floinn, from 'flann' meaning 'red' or 'ruddy,' hence 'descendant of the red-haired one.' It transferred from surname to given name in modern usage.
Variants and related names
Flynn is related to several other names you may recognize: Flinn, Flyn, Flann. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Flynn?
Most popular in Ireland, Australia, and the United States; predominantly given to boys but used occasionally for girls, making it lightly unisex.
Popularity matters when you need believable test data: a name that fits the era or region you are modeling makes a generated profile look real. You can generate a complete fictional profile using the name Flynn below.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Flynn mean?+
The name Flynn means “descendant of the red-haired one” and is of Irish (Gaelic) origin.
What is the origin of the name Flynn?+
Flynn originates from Irish (Gaelic).
Is Flynn a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Flynn has trended in the US over time.
Flynn by gender
More unisex names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press