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Home › Baby Names Directory › Larkin

Larkin

♀ Girl

Pronounced LAR-kin /ˈlɑr.kɪn/High

Meaning: From Irish Ó Lorcáin, 'descendant of Lorcán' — lorcán meaning 'fierce, rough, cruel' — with the English bird-word lark echoing in itMedium

In 30 seconds: A fierce Irish chieftain hiding behind a songbird: Larkin descends from Lorcán, 'rough and fierce', yet the ear hears 'lark'. Poet Philip Larkin lent it gravitas; the bird lends it charm.
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Origin MediumIrish, English
MeaningFrom Irish Ó Lorcáin, 'descendant of Lorcán' — lorcán meaning 'fierce, rough, cruel' — with the English bird-word lark echoing in it
U.S. rank (2025)#3682 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births41 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2006
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,018

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200619592025

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

Larkin anglicizes Ó Lorcáin, 'descendant of Lorcán' — Old Irish lorcán, 'fierce, rough' — a name borne by Leinster kings and saints; the English surname also produced poet Philip Larkin. As a girls' first name it pairs Irish steel with the gentle echo of 'lark'.

It registers thinly and recently for girls, riding the surname-and-bird-name waves at once. Rare, fierce-rooted, and birdsong-soft on the surface.

Did you know? Lorcán — the root of Larkin — was the name of an eleventh-century king of Leinster and of Ireland's patron-adjacent St. Laurence O'Toole, born Lorcán Ua Tuathail.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name — Lorcán — root name

Variations

LarkynLorcan

Nicknames

Lark

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Larkin…

Lark— the bird name nested in its sound
Sloane— a fellow surname-name for girls
Emerson— another surname crossing to daughters
Wren— the companion bird name beside it

Explore names like Larkin

By themesurname-nameirish
By meaningBird

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Larkin mean?

Larkin comes from Irish Ó Lorcáin, 'descendant of Lorcán', meaning 'fierce, rough' — with an echo of the bird-word lark.

How do you pronounce Larkin?

It's said LAR-kin /ˈlɑr.kɪn/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Larkin a boy or girl name?

Larkin is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Larkin?

Larkin is a rare name for girls in the U.S.

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