Wren

♀ Girl

Pronounced REN /rɛn/High

Meaning: Wren, a small songbird; from Old English wrennaHigh

In 30 seconds: A crisp one-syllable nature name after the tiny but famously vocal songbird. Among the most fashionable short girl's names of the 2020s, beloved for its simplicity and natural charm.

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Origin HighOld English

MeaningWren, a small songbird; from Old English wrenna

U.S. rank (2025)#231 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births1,331 girls (0.08% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 13,631

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

Wren comes from the Old English wrenna or wrenne, the name of the small brown songbird known scientifically as Troglodytes troglodytes. The bird is celebrated in folklore across the British Isles for its powerful voice despite its tiny size. As a given name, Wren began appearing in the United States in the late 20th century and has grown rapidly in the 21st.

Wren gained recognition partly through fictional usage — the name appears in the TV series Pretty Little Liars and other popular culture. Its single-syllable, all-consonant punch fits the modern preference for short, strong girl's names. It entered the U.S. top 200 girls' names in the early 2020s.

Did you know? The wren holds a special place in British and Irish folklore — it was called the 'King of Birds' after a legend in which it won a flying contest against the eagle by hiding in its feathers.

Variations

RennRenne

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Wren Blair (1925–2013)
Canadian NHL coach and executive who signed 14-year-old Bobby Orr to his first hockey contract with the Bruins-sponsored Oshawa Generals in 1962 and later served as the inaugural head coach and general manager of the Minnesota North Stars.

If you like Wren…

Sage— crisp one-syllable nature name with a similar cool feel

Ivy— short nature name with a vintage and modern appeal

Camden— echoes that soft -en sound

Haven— echoes that soft -en sound

Aspen— shares Wren's Old English roots

Frequently Asked

What does the name Wren mean?

Wren means 'wren,' the small but powerful songbird, from the Old English word wrenna.

How do you pronounce Wren?

Wren is a single syllable pronounced REN (/rɛn/).

Is Wren a boy or girl name?

Wren is used for both sexes but has become predominantly a girl's name in the United States.

How popular is Wren?

Wren has been one of the fastest-rising girls' names in the U.S. in the 2010s and 2020s, now in the top 200.