Rhilynn
A name of unknown meaning and origin, potentially a blend of various name elements.
Name Census estimates that about 270 living Americans carry the first name Rhilynn. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Rhilynn today is around 11 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Rhilynn births was 2011 (31 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Rhilynn. 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
270
~ 1 in 1,269,461 Americans
Peak year
2011
31 babies that year
Average age
11
years old
2024 SSA rank
#14,865
Tracked since 2007
Popularity
Rhilynn: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Rhilynn 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 200 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2010s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rhilynn 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 Rhilynn 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 Rhilynn
The name Rhilynn finds its origins in the ancient Celtic language, spoken by the people who inhabited the British Isles and parts of western Europe during the Iron Age period, around 800 BC to 43 AD. The name is believed to have derived from the Celtic words "rhi" meaning "great" and "lynn" meaning "lake" or "pool". Thus, the name Rhilynn could be interpreted as "great lake" or "great pool".
While the name itself does not appear to have any direct historical references in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is thought to have been used by the Celtic tribes that lived in what is now known as Ireland and Scotland. The earliest recorded examples of the name date back to the 9th century, when it was found inscribed on stone monuments and carvings in these regions.
One of the earliest known individuals to bear the name Rhilynn was Rhilynn of Connacht, a Celtic chieftain who lived in the 9th century AD. She was renowned for her bravery and leadership in defending her tribe against Viking raids.
Another notable figure was Rhilynn the Bard, a celebrated Celtic poet and storyteller who lived in the 11th century. Her works, which were passed down through oral tradition, are believed to have played a significant role in preserving Celtic culture and folklore.
In the 12th century, Rhilynn of Argyll was a prominent figure in Scotland. She was a respected healer and herbalist, known for her extensive knowledge of medicinal plants and her dedication to helping the sick and injured.
During the 16th century, Rhilynn Fitzgerald was a renowned Irish noblewoman and landowner. She was known for her philanthropic efforts and her support of education, founding several schools in her region.
In the 18th century, Rhilynn MacLeod was a Scottish Highland warrior and clan chieftain. She was celebrated for her valor and leadership during the Jacobite Risings, leading her clan in battles against the English forces.
While the name Rhilynn may have fallen out of widespread use in more recent times, its Celtic origins and historical significance make it a unique and meaningful choice for those seeking a connection to their ancestral roots.
People
Rhilynn + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Rhilynn as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with R
Other first names starting with R with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Rhilynn: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Rhilynn?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 270 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Rhilynn 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 1,269,461 US residents.
Is Rhilynn a common name?
We classify Rhilynn as "Very Rare". It ranks above 78% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 272 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Rhilynn most popular?
The single biggest year for Rhilynn was 2011, when 31 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Rhilynn is about 11 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Rhilynn a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Rhilynn 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.