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Lennon
Pronounced LEN-un /ˈlɛn.ən/High
Meaning: Dear little one; from Irish Ó Leannáin or Mac Leannáin: leannán (lover, sweetheart, or cloak)Medium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
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
Lennon is an Irish surname, the anglicization of Gaelic Ó Leannáin or Mac Leannáin, from the word leannán ('lover, sweetheart, darling,' or possibly 'little cloak'). The surname has been borne by families in Connacht, Ireland, for many centuries. As a given name, Lennon is entirely modern and is used primarily as a tribute to John Lennon.
Lennon as a first name entered the U.S. top 1000 in the 2000s and has been rising since, particularly as a girls' name. It is part of the broader trend for musician surnames used as first names — alongside names like Jagger, Bowie, and Marley. It now ranks in the top 300 for girls.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★John Lennon (1940–1980)British musician, co-founder and primary songwriter of The Beatles; peace activist.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Lennon mean?
Lennon is an Irish surname from Ó Leannáin, meaning 'lover' or 'dear little one.' As a first name it is typically given as a tribute to John Lennon.
How do you pronounce Lennon?
Lennon is pronounced LEN-un (/ˈlɛn.ən/) — two syllables with stress on the first.
Is Lennon a boy or girl name?
Lennon is used for both sexes but is becoming more popular as a girls' name in the United States.
How popular is Lennon?
Lennon has been rising steadily in the U.S. since the 2000s and is now in the top 300 girls' names.