Graelynn
A feminine name meaning "gray" combined with "linn", derived from a Scottish surname.
Name Census estimates that about 118 living Americans carry the first name Graelynn. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Graelynn today is around 6 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Graelynn births was 2018 (20 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Graelynn. 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
118
~ 1 in 2,904,698 Americans
Peak year
2018
20 babies that year
Average age
6
years old
2024 SSA rank
#7,705
Tracked since 2015
Popularity
Graelynn: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Graelynn from the 2010s through to the 2020s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2020s, with 62 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Graelynn 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 Graelynn during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Graelynn
The name Graelynn is a relatively modern invention, likely derived from a combination of the Scottish name Greer and the English name Lynn. The name Greer itself has its roots in the Gaelic word "gríor," which means "watchful" or "vigilant."
The first part of the name, Grae, is believed to have originated from the Scottish surname Greir or Greer, which was derived from the ancient Gaelic personal name Gríor. This name was commonly used in medieval Scotland and was popular among families with Celtic roots.
The second part of the name, Lynn, is an English name that can be traced back to various sources. It may have originated from the Old English word "linn," meaning a pool or stream, or from the Scottish Gaelic word "linne," meaning a lake or pool. Lynn was also a common medieval English surname derived from place names like Linn or Lynne.
While the name Graelynn itself is a relatively modern coinage, it draws upon these ancient Celtic and English roots, combining elements of Scottish and English heritage. There are no known historical figures or records that specifically mention the name Graelynn prior to its modern usage.
However, it is worth mentioning a few notable individuals who shared the components of this name throughout history:
1. Greer Garson (1904-1996), an English-American actress known for her roles in classic films like "Mrs. Miniver" and "Goodbye, Mr. Chips."
2. Lynn Redgrave (1943-2010), an English actress and member of the renowned Redgrave acting dynasty, known for her performances in films like "Georgy Girl" and "Kinsey."
3. Lynne Reid Banks (born 1929), an English writer best known for her classic children's novel "The Indian in the Cupboard."
4. Grier Ingo (born 1993), an American track and field athlete who specializes in the long jump and triple jump events.
5. Lynne Cheney (born 1941), an American author, scholar, and former Second Lady of the United States, wife of former Vice President Dick Cheney.
While the name Graelynn is a modern creation, it draws upon the rich linguistic heritage of Celtic and English cultures, combining elements of watchfulness, vigilance, and natural beauty. Its unique blend of Scottish and English roots makes it a distinctive and meaningful choice for parents seeking a name with historical depth and cultural significance.
People
Graelynn + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Graelynn 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
Graelynn: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Graelynn?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 118 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Graelynn 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 2,904,698 US residents.
Is Graelynn a common name?
We classify Graelynn as "Very Rare". It ranks above 67% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 119 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Graelynn most popular?
The single biggest year for Graelynn was 2018, when 20 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Graelynn is about 6 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Graelynn in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Graelynn a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Graelynn 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.
Is Graelynn still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Graelynn in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Graelynn can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
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.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have the name Graelynn?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.