Quinn

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Quinn

Pronounced KWIN /kwɪn/High

Meaning: Chief; descendant of ConnHigh

In 30 seconds: A sharp, one-syllable Irish surname name meaning 'chief.' It crossed to first-name use in the 20th century and has climbed steadily among girls since the 2000s.

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Origin HighIrish, Gaelic

MeaningChief; descendant of Conn

U.S. rank (2025)#97 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births2,634 girls (0.15% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2016

Total births (all-time)≈ 52,484

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

Quinn is an anglicization of the Irish surname O'Cuinn (descendant of Conn), rooted in the Old Irish word conn, meaning 'chief' or 'counsel.' The Conn in question is traditionally linked to Conn of the Hundred Battles, a legendary 2nd-century High King.

Quinn transitioned from surname to given name gradually through the 20th century, first for boys and then — especially from the 1990s onward — for girls. By the 2020s it ranked comfortably in the top 100 U.S. girls' names, prized for its crisp, gender-neutral sound.

Did you know? Quinn derives from the Irish clan name O'Cuinn, meaning descendants of Conn, a legendary High King of Ireland.

Overall data confidence 88%

Behind the Name — Quinn — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data 1880–present

Variations

QuinQuynn

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Quinn (1995-)
Canadian soccer player and Olympic gold medalist
★Quinn Shephard (1995-)
American actress, writer and director

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Quinn mean?

Quinn is of Irish Gaelic origin, meaning 'chief' or 'counsel,' from the clan name O'Cuinn (descendants of Conn).

How do you pronounce Quinn?

It's said KWIN — just one syllable, rhyming with 'win.'

Is Quinn a boy or girl name?

Quinn is used for both, but has ranked among the top 100 U.S. girls' names since the 2010s.

How popular is Quinn?

Quinn ranked #96 for girls in the U.S. in 2024, making it a firmly mainstream but not overused choice.