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Robyn

♀ Girl

Pronounced ROB-in /ˈrɒb.ɪn/Low

Meaning: Bright fame, shining with renownLow

In 30 seconds: Robyn is a feminine spelling variant of Robin, itself a medieval diminutive of Robert meaning bright fame. The -yn ending signals its use primarily as a girl's name. Famous bearers include Swedish pop star Robyn.
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Origin LowEnglish, Germanic
MeaningBright fame, shining with renown
U.S. rank (2024)#1296 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births178 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1964
Total births (all-time)≈ 63,212

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 196419212024

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

History & Origin

Robin derives from the medieval diminutive of Robert, from the Old High German elements hrod (fame) and beraht (bright). The robin bird was named after the human name, not the reverse. The Robyn spelling became specifically associated with the feminine form in the 20th century.

Robyn peaked in popularity in the United States and United Kingdom in the 1950s through 1970s. Swedish pop star Robyn, born Robin Miriam Carlsson, helped revive the name's cool factor from the late 1990s onward.

Did you know? The robin is one of Britain's most beloved birds, so closely associated with winter and Christmas that it appears on millions of holiday cards each year — lending the name Robyn a sense of cheer and seasonal brightness.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name: Robin

Variations

RobinRobbinRobiyn

Nicknames

RobRobi

Famous Bearers

  • ★Robyn (1979–present)
    Swedish pop singer (Robin Carlsson) known for hits including Dancing On My Own

If you like Robyn…

Robin— Standard spelling of same name
Rosalyn— Similar sound and feminine -yn ending
Rozlyn— Same -yn suffix with similar retro feel
Raelyn— Modern feminine name with -yn ending

Frequently Asked

What does Robyn mean?

Robyn means bright fame, derived from the Germanic elements hrod (fame) and beraht (bright) through the medieval diminutive Robin of Robert.

Is Robyn a feminine spelling?

Yes, Robyn with a y is the distinctly feminine spelling of Robin, used to distinguish the girl's name from the unisex or masculine Robin.

How do you pronounce Robyn?

Robyn is pronounced ROB-in, the same as Robin.

Who is famous with the name Robyn?

The most famous contemporary Robyn is Swedish pop star Robyn Carlsson, known for her hit Dancing On My Own.