Lynx
A gender-neutral name derived from the wildcat species.
Name Census estimates that about 425 living Americans carry the first name Lynx. It appears on both sides of the gender split, with 84.8% of registrations being male. The average person named Lynx today is around 6 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Lynx births was 2023 (71 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Lynx. 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
425
~ 1 in 806,481 Americans
Peak year
2023
71 babies that year
Average age
6
years old
2024 SSA rank
#2,268
Tracked since 2008
Gender
Gender distribution for Lynx
Lynx leans heavily male at 84.8% of total registrations, but 65 girls have also been registered with the name over the years, giving it a small but present crossover presence.
Lynx as a male name
- Ranked #2,268 in 2024
- 63 male births in 2024
- Peak: 2024 (63 births)
Lynx as a female name
- Ranked #11,700 in 2024
- 8 female births in 2024
- Peak: 2023 (16 births)
Popularity
Lynx: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Lynx from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2020s, with 277 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
Lynx 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 Lynx during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Lynx' live
The SSA's state-level files cover 5 states and territories. Texas, Indiana, Georgia recorded the most babies named Lynx, while New York, North Carolina, Georgia recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 7 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Lynx
The name Lynx has its origins in the ancient Greek language, deriving from the word "lynx" which referred to the wild feline of the same name. This name likely emerged during the classical period of ancient Greek civilization, which spanned from the 8th century BC to the 6th century AD.
In Greek mythology, the lynx was a symbol of keen vision and vigilance, associated with the goddess Artemis, the huntress and protector of wild animals. The name may have been bestowed upon individuals who were considered sharp-eyed or watchful, mirroring the characteristics of the lynx.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Lynx can be found in the works of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, who lived from 428 BC to 348 BC. In his dialogues, Plato mentions a character named Lynx, though little is known about this individual's historical significance.
During the Renaissance period, which spanned from the 14th to the 17th century, the name Lynx gained popularity among scholars and intellectuals who were fascinated by the classical Greek and Roman cultures. One notable figure was the German mathematician and astronomer Lynx of Hildesheim, who lived from 1350 to 1435 and contributed to the development of astronomical instruments.
In the 17th century, the French philosopher and mathematician René Descartes, who lived from 1596 to 1650, used the pseudonym Lynx to refer to himself in some of his writings. This was likely a reference to his keen intellect and sharp analytical abilities.
Another historically significant figure with the name Lynx was the American writer and poet Lynx Qualey, who lived from 1899 to 1988. She was known for her works exploring themes of nature and the American experience, and her poetry was widely acclaimed during her lifetime.
In the realm of literature, the name Lynx has also been used as a character in various works of fiction, such as the novel "The Lynx" by Hermann Sudermann, published in 1891, and the short story "The Lynx Hunters" by John Buchan, published in 1910.
While the name Lynx has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, it has persisted as a unique and intriguing choice, reflecting the qualities of vigilance, keen perception, and connection to the natural world.
People
Lynx + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Lynx as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with L
Other first names starting with L with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Lynx: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Lynx?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 425 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Lynx 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 806,481 US residents.
Is Lynx a common name?
We classify Lynx as "Very Rare". It ranks above 82.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 428 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Lynx most popular?
The single biggest year for Lynx was 2023, when 71 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Lynx is about 6 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Lynx a male name?
Yes, 84.8% of people registered as Lynx in the SSA data are male. 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.