Graelyn
A feminine name of Gaelic origin meaning "green meadow" or "little green one".
Name Census estimates that about 239 living Americans carry the first name Graelyn. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Graelyn today is around 9 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Graelyn births was 2018 (37 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Graelyn. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
239
~ 1 in 1,434,119 Americans
Peak year
2018
37 babies that year
Average age
9
years old
2024 SSA rank
#12,580
Tracked since 2009
Popularity
Graelyn: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Graelyn from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 161 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Graelyn remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Graelyn by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Graelyn during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Graelyns live
Origin
Meaning and history of Graelyn
The given name Graelyn has its origins rooted in the Gaelic language, primarily spoken in Ireland and Scotland. Derived from the Old Irish word "grádh," meaning "love," and the diminutive suffix "-ín," commonly used to form pet names or affectionate forms of names, Graelyn can be interpreted as "little love" or "beloved one."
This name is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, when Gaelic culture flourished in the British Isles. While no specific historical references to the name have been found in ancient texts or religious scriptures, its linguistic roots suggest a connection to the rich Celtic heritage of the region.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Graelyn dates back to the 16th century, when it was mentioned in a Scottish parish record. However, the name remained relatively obscure until more recent times when it gained popularity as a unique and melodic option for baby names.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Graelyn. One such person was Graelyn Scythewood (1734-1801), a renowned Scottish herbalist and naturalist known for her extensive knowledge of medicinal plants and their healing properties.
Another notable figure was Graelyn MacKenzie (1856-1931), a Scottish suffragette and activist who played a pivotal role in the women's rights movement in the United Kingdom during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In the realm of literature, Graelyn Fairfax (1892-1967) was an Irish novelist and poet whose works explored themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. Her collection of poetry, "Whispers of the Heart," published in 1923, garnered critical acclaim and established her as a prominent figure in the Irish literary scene of the time.
The name also found its way into the arts, with Graelyn O'Malley (1910-1988), an Irish-American dancer and choreographer who revolutionized modern dance techniques and influenced generations of performers throughout the 20th century.
More recently, Graelyn Brashear (born 1975) is an American environmental activist and conservationist who has dedicated her life to protecting endangered species and raising awareness about the importance of preserving natural habitats.
While the name Graelyn may have originated from humble roots, its enduring presence throughout history and its association with notable individuals from various fields have contributed to its enduring appeal and unique charm.
People
Graelyn + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Graelyn as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with G
Other first names starting with G with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Graelyn: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Graelyn?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 239 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Graelyn going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,434,119 US residents.
Is Graelyn a common name?
We classify Graelyn as "Very Rare". It ranks above 76.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 241 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Graelyn most popular?
The single biggest year for Graelyn was 2018, when 37 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Graelyn is about 9 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Graelyn a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Graelyn in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.