Penn

♂ Boy

Pronounced PEN /pɛn/High

Meaning: Enclosure or hill; from Old English penn meaning a fold or enclosure for animals, also related to Welsh pen meaning head or headlandHigh

In 30 seconds: Penn is a strong one-syllable name of Old English and Welsh heritage meaning enclosure or headland. Famous as the surname of Quaker founder William Penn, it radiates American colonial history and quiet authority.

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Origin HighOld English, Welsh

MeaningEnclosure or hill; from Old English penn meaning a fold or enclosure for animals, also related to Welsh pen meaning head or headland

U.S. rank (2025)#2706 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births48 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2014

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,208

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

Penn derives from Old English penn, meaning a fold or enclosure, and is also related to the Welsh element pen meaning head or top. As a surname it was common in the west of England and Wales.

The name was immortalized by the Quaker leader and founder of Pennsylvania, William Penn (1644–1718). As a given name, Penn has been used in American families since the colonial era and has remained a distinctive choice for those who value its historical resonance and clean single-syllable sound.

Did you know? Pennsylvania takes its name from William Penn — Penn's Woods in Latin — meaning this crisp one-syllable name is literally baked into the geography of the United States.

Overall data confidence 90%

Behind the Name — Penn — etymology and historical usageEncyclopedia Britannica — William Penn — historical bearer

Variations

Pen

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★William Penn (1644–1718)
English Quaker leader and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, which he established as a colony based on religious freedom.
★Penn Jillette (1955–present)
American magician, author, and the larger, speaking half of the illusionist duo Penn and Teller.

If you like Penn…

Wynn— same clean one-syllable Celtic-Anglo heritage

Bram— fellow strong single-syllable historical name

Ford— shares the crisp Anglo-Saxon place-name origin

Lane— same minimal single-syllable surname-transfer appeal

Explore names like Penn

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Penn mean?

Penn means enclosure or headland, from Old English penn meaning a fold for animals, also linked to Welsh pen meaning head.

How do you pronounce Penn?

It is said PEN, one syllable.

Is Penn a boy or girl name?

Penn is used primarily as a boys name, though it is occasionally chosen for girls as well.

How popular is Penn?

Penn is a rare but recognized boys name in the United States, especially in families with Quaker heritage or Pennsylvania connections.