Lynne is a feminine given name of Welsh origin. It comes from the Welsh word "llwyn," which means "grove" or "thicket." The name has been used in Wales for centuries, and it was traditionally given to girls born into families with Celtic heritage.
The name Lynne gained popularity outside of Wales during the Victorian era in England, when there was a renewed interest in Celtic culture and language. It was often used as a given name or a middle name, and it became particularly popular among families who had ties to Wales or who were interested in Welsh history and literature.
One notable figure with the name Lynne is Lynne Truss, the British journalist and author who wrote the best-selling book "Eats, Shoots & Leaves" on punctuation. However, there are no famous historical figures with the name Lynne, as it was not widely used outside of Wales until relatively recently.
Today, Lynne remains a popular given name in Wales and other parts of the United Kingdom, although it is less common than it was during its peak popularity in the mid-20th century. It is also used occasionally elsewhere around the world, particularly among families with Welsh ancestry or those who are drawn to the meaning and sound of the name.
Overall, Lynne is a distinctive and meaningful name with deep roots in Welsh culture and history. Its association with groves and thickets gives it a connection to nature and the outdoors, while its Celtic origins lend it an air of mystery and romance.
Between the years of 1912 and 1969, a total of 458 babies were named Lynne at birth in the United States. The popularity of the name Lynne fluctuated over this period. In some years, such as 1914 and 1925, only five girls were named Lynne. However, there were several years where the number of newborns given the name Lynne reached double digits. For instance, in 1937, 1941, and 1943, more than twenty babies each year were named Lynne.
The peak in popularity for the name Lynne occurred between 1940 and 1945, with a particularly high number of births in 1941, when 21 girls were named Lynne. This period also saw an overall increase in the total number of newborns given the name Lynne, from 8 in 1939 to 20 in 1944.
After World War II, the popularity of the name Lynne began to decline steadily. Between 1950 and 1969, there were fewer than ten babies named Lynne each year, with a few exceptions such as 1957 and 1960 where twelve girls were given the name. The most recent data available shows that in 1969, only eight newborns were named Lynne.
Despite this decrease in popularity over time, it is clear that throughout the first half of the twentieth century, many parents chose to name their daughters Lynne. This statistic reflects the enduring appeal and recognition of this unique name across generations.