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Home β€Ί Baby Names Directory β€Ί Glen

Glen

β™‚ Boy

Pronounced GLEN /Ι‘lΙ›n/High

Meaning: valley, narrow glenHigh

In 30 seconds: Glen is a Scottish Gaelic name meaning valley or narrow glen. A clean one-syllable name with Highland character and literary prestige.
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Origin HighScottish Gaelic
Meaningvalley, narrow glen
U.S. rank (2025)#2026 β†— Rising
2025 U.S. births74 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1957
Total births (all-time)β‰ˆ 125,703

Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data

peak 195718802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Glen derives from Scottish Gaelic gleann meaning a narrow mountain valley.

Glen was popular in the US from the 1920s through the 1960s and retains a clean dignified vintage quality.

Did you know? The word glen (from Scottish Gaelic gleann) has passed into English as a common noun for a mountain valley β€” meaning that every time English speakers say glen, they are using a Scottish name.
Overall data confidence 88%
Behind the Name: Glen β€” name etymology referenceUS Social Security Name Database β€” U.S. popularity data

Variations

GlennGlynGlynn

Nicknames

Gl

Famous Bearers

  • β˜…Glen Campbell (1936–2017)
    American country singer and guitarist known for hits including Rhinestone Cowboy (1975) and Wichita Lineman.

If you like Glen…

Clintβ€” similar one-syllable American vintage masculine name
Daleβ€” similar one-syllable Scottish/English nature name
Scottβ€” similar one-syllable Scottish heritage masculine name
Brentβ€” similar one-syllable vintage American masculine name
Wardβ€” similar one-syllable vintage American masculine name

Explore names like Glen

By themenaturevintagescottishone-syllablevalley
By meaningEarth / Nature

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Frequently Asked

What does Glen mean?

Glen means valley, narrow glen.

How do you pronounce Glen?

Glen is pronounced GLEN (/Ι‘lΙ›n/), with 1 syllable.

Is Glen a boy's name?

Yes, Glen is used as a boy's name.

How popular is the name Glen?

Scottish Gaelic meaning firmly established; glen as common English noun confirms it.

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