The baby name Penn brings to mind an actor, a comic, and, of course, the Keystone State.
Thanks to Danielle for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
WILLIAM PENN
The son of an influential English family, William Penn’s father – also named William – had served as an admiral.
But it’s the son we remember, thanks to the state that bears his name – Pennsylvania.
Established in 1681 as the Province of Pennsylvania, the name means “Penn’s woods.” It’s actually the elder Penn referenced with the name.
The younger Penn’s legacy was greater than just a place name.
Pennsylvania was established with religious tolerance in mind. After all, Penn was a Quaker, and they’d struggled to find a place to practice their faith.
The democratic principles used to structure the colony’s governance would inform the US Constitution.
Penn was also known for treating the Native Americans more fairly than was customary for his day.
And then there’s Philadelphia, city of brotherly love and cheese steaks. His statue tops City Hall and defines the Philly skyline.
WHAT DOES THE NAME PENN MEAN?
The Penn family flourished in the new world, but the surname itself has fairly humble roots.
It could come from:
- The Welsh word for head, which makes sense given the family’s – and the colony’s – ties to Wales.
- A Celtic word borrowed into Old English that meant hill. Several places in England still use the name Penn today.
- Possibly an occupational name for someone who tended animals, like sheep, in a pen. Or maybe even lived near such an enclosure.
While other origins are possible, it doesn’t connect to pen, as in the writing tool. That word comes from the Latin penna – feather, since pens were originally quills, made from feathers. While there’s no etymological connection, it lends the name a serious, scholarly vibe.
Speaking of scholars, Philadelphia is home to the University of Pennsylvania, commonly called Penn. The Ivy League school adds another layer to this name.
FAMOUS PEOPLE NAMED PENN
Besides the father and son, famous Penns abound.
They include Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn and American writer Robert Penn Warren. (Warren’s middle name comes from his mother, Anna Penn, a descendant of Revolutionary War solider Colonel Abram Penn – no relation to William.)
Actor Kal Penn is another notable figure. He was born Kalpen Modi.
But that’s Penn as a surname.
How did it make the leap to a boy’s name?
PENN JILLETTE
Comedian, magician, actor, musician, inventor, and best-selling author Penn Jillette rose to fame as one half of the duo Penn & Teller.
The duo’s career took off during the 1980s, with an Off-Broadway show, lots of late night television appearances, an Emmy-winning PBS magic special, and a guest appearance in a Run DMC video.
He and wife Emily Zolten have also made headlines for their kids’ names: son Zolten and daughter Moxie CrimeFighter.
But no matter how Penn Jillette appears in the spotlight, he’s yet to inspire parents to consider the name.
PENN BADGLEY
Actor Penn Badgley, on the other hand, helped put Penn on the list of unique names parents increasingly considered.
He rose to fame as Dan Humphrey on Gossip Girl beginning in 2007 and appeared in a string of rom coms before graduating to the Netflix series You. The thriller is much darker, with Badgley playing a serial killer.
You is headed for a fifth and final season, keeping Badgley – and his given name – in the public eye.
SPORTING
Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel asked the actor about the meaning of Penn. Was it a family name?
No, the actor explained. It came from Penn tennis balls.
And the tennis balls? Were originally manufactured in a small Pennsylvania town, which pretty much brings this story back to where it began.
HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME PENN?
Gossip Girl debuted in 2007. At the time, the baby name Penn was used in small numbers for boys. It had been for years, presumably as a family name.
But in 2007, 14 boys received the name – a new peak.
The name gained in use, peaking at 79 births in 2014, shortly after Gossip Girl left the air.
Since then, it’s remained higher than before. The baby name Penn was given to 68 boys in 2023.
One more famous figure could help boost the name: reporter, news anchor, and actor turned social media star Penn Holderness. The Holderness family rose to fame with their 2013 viral video “Christmas Jammies.” They’ve been busy creating ever since, and in 2022, Penn and wife Kim won season 33 of The Amazing Race.
It’s occasionally heard as a girl’s name, too. In that case it might be short for Top 100 favorite Penelope.
BRIEF, COMPLETE, COMPELLING
All of this makes the baby name Penn an intriguing possibility. If you love similar sounding names like Quinn, Finn, Flynn, and Ben, then the sound might work. The rich history makes Penn something of a serious charmer. And it’s a name that feels unusual and familiar at the same time – exactly what so many of us are after.
What do you think of the baby name Penn?
First published on September 26, 2011, this post was revised on October 18, 2022 and September 15, 2024.
Penn and Kim Holderness are internet personalities and won the Amazing Race, Season 33. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Holderness_Family
I really loved when Amanda Peet named her daughter Frances Pen! I prefer the name much less for boys, though.
My dad went to different Big Ten school… I’d be disowned if I named a child Penn.
HA! Fair point.
It’s one of those surname names that I don’t mind seeing on kids as much as, say, Tucker. I’d never use it, but I’d love to find a legitimate name that could lead to it as a nickname. Phineas, maybe? Spencer? To be honest, Penn Badgley is probably the only reason the name intrigues me. Gossip Girl is one of my greatest guilty pleasures. ๐
This is completely unrelated, but…
Kelly Bensimon, one of the ex-Real Housewives of NYC, has daughters named Sea Louise and, wait for it, Thaddeus Ann! Thaddeus on a girl?! I’m in shock. She goes by Teddy apparently, which is pretty adorable.
I remember being stunned by that one, too – I actually love Sea, but I can’t quite wrap by head around Thaddeus. Teddy is darling, but I’d go for Theodora on the birth certificate.
I love it. This is just the sort of name I’m drawn to! Quirky and modern but with a well-founded history. Penn just sounds cool and fun, I think. I like the William Penn connection, I like the writing utensil (pen) connection, and I like the tennis connection. It’s a win-win-win for me!
It could also be short for Peyton, I think, or Pendleton or Penzey (a spice company!).
Love the idea of Pendleton! Wooly.
And I do like the pen/Penn connection.
Penn is pretty cool. Not a name I’d ever use but it would be really cool to meet a little Penn!
Though he stands alone well enough, I actually like Penn for Peregrine. If we were EVER brave enough to use Peregrine, I could see Penn overtaking the nn Pippin with age.
Ooo! I like Penn for Peregrine. ๐
I’ve named one of my ficitonal chracter’s Penn. I don’t remember where I got the name, just popped into my head one day. I’ve never heard it as a given name before, I would have thought Penn from Penn & Teller was a surname.
As for using it on a real person…it is short and simple and has an almost classical feel with allusions to William Penn. But it may be a bit to similar to on of my favorite names for a girl, Prynn.
I love Peregrine, but I prefer Perry as a nickname.d
I love Perry for Peregrine also, I just never thought about Penn as a possible nickname as well ๐
Hmm, between the nn Perry, Pippin, Penn, and the full Peregrine, it’s an all-around winner in my book!
I think Penn would make a spectacular surprise middle name, especially for those of use who like longer first names. Pennet could be a creative way to get to Penn.
I know of a Penn whose full first name is Pendragon. Not surprisingly, he chooses to go by Penn!
Pendragon is spectacular.
Wow!
Awesome! How could you go by Penn when Dragon is in your name?! ๐
Wow, wow, wow.
Inspired by Robert Plant, perhaps (he had a son named Karac Pendragon), which is seriously super cool ๐