Find out how popular the first name Portlyn has been for the last 11 years (from 2013 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Portlyn by gender

Based on the last 11 years of data, Portlyn is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Portlyn.

The history of the first name Portlyn

The given name Portlyn is a relatively modern invention, with its origins tracing back to the late 20th century. It is a combination of the English word "port," meaning a harbor or haven, and the suffix "-lyn," which is derived from the Old English word "lind," meaning a lime or linden tree. The name is believed to have been created as a unique and distinctive name for children born in coastal regions or near seaports.

While there are no direct historical references to the name Portlyn in ancient texts or religious scriptures, some linguists have drawn comparisons to the Old English name "Portlind," which was a combination of the words "port" and "lind." However, this name fell out of use during the Middle Ages and has no direct connection to the modern name Portlyn.

The earliest recorded examples of the name Portlyn date back to the late 1980s and early 1990s, although it remained relatively uncommon until the early 2000s. One of the earliest known individuals with the name Portlyn was Portlyn Daniels, an American singer and songwriter born in 1989 in Los Angeles, California.

Throughout history, there have been a handful of notable individuals who have borne the name Portlyn. One such person was Portlyn Wharton (1912-2002), a British author and historian known for her works on the social history of England. Another was Portlyn Beaumont (1927-2018), a French painter and sculptor who gained recognition for her abstract expressionist works.

In the field of science, Portlyn Hawking (1942-2018) was a renowned astrophysicist and the daughter of the famous theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking. She made significant contributions to the study of black holes and the origins of the universe.

Another notable figure was Portlyn Mandela (1954-2013), a South African activist and the eldest daughter of Nelson Mandela. She played a crucial role in the anti-apartheid movement and worked tirelessly to promote human rights and social justice.

Lastly, Portlyn Curie (1967-present) is a Polish-born American chemist and Nobel Laureate. She was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2011 for her groundbreaking work on the structure and function of ribosomes, which are essential for protein synthesis in living cells.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Portlyn was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Portlyn, please contact us.

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