Some place names are obviously torn from the map. Indiana, for one. Or Savannah. But others are subtle – so common in the first spot, in fact, that we’ve forgotten they started out as anything else.

Thanks to Photoquilty for suggesting Glenn as Name of the Day.

Say Glenn in the US, and many people probably think “astronaut.”

John Glenn gives the name an authentic hero ring. A Marine Corps fighter pilot, he joined NASA’s original group of astronauts and became the third person to orbit the Earth, back in 1962. Glenn later served as US Senator from Ohio. By 1998, he was back in outerspace, as the oldest person to ever go into space. He was 77 at the time.

But Glenn’s origins are far more grounded. He comes from the Gaelic gleann – valley. Typically, the surname is spelled with a double n. The geographic feature is usually just one, but Glen is also bestowed as a given name. You might also hear Glyn. It’s the Welsh version of gleann – and today sounds undeniably feminine.

Glen also conjures up top shelf whiskey. With kids named Miller and Jameson, maybe that’s not an obstacle. (Let’s not forget 70s favorites Brandy and Sherry, either!) But glen is prominent is place names, hence Glenlivet, Glenfiditch and Vince Vaughn’s memorable line from indie hit Swingers, “any glen will do.”

As a given name, Glenn has never been a smash, but he has been steadily popular for years. Up until the late 1960s, he spent most of the twentieth century in the US Top 100, peaking at #59 in the early 1950s. (Glen peaked at #116 back in 1919, but is not curretnly ranked.)

Glenn would’ve sounded just right with Scott, Dale and the equally topographic Craig. The 1960s were good to single-syllable names for boys, too, as Troy, Dean, Brett and Brad all gained.

His popularity means that there are Glenns aplenty in recent history, including:

  • The Family Guy’s Glenn Quagmire. The animated lothario is not exactly a role model for your child, and fortunately he’s usually referred to by his last name only;
  • Big Band legend Glenn Miller, known for hits like “Chatanooga Choo-Choo” and “In the Mood”;
  • At the opposite end of the musical spectrum, there’s punk pioneer Glenn Danzig;
  • Hollywood leading man Glenn Ford, born Gwyllyn. He took his stage name from his dad’s hometown, Glenford;
  • Glenn Strange is an even more memorable big screen presence, as the actor behind the iconic monster in the Frankenstein films from the 1940s.

If you’re willing to stretch, there’s even a mythological element to this moniker. In Norse mythology, Glenr is the sun goddess’ husband. He drives her chariot across the skies to start the day.

On balance, Glenn is a trifle dated, but he’s still wearing well. As parents move away from two-syllable picks for boys, Glenn might find himself fitting in again – just this time he’d share the playground with Cade and Cole, Jack and Max.

About Abby Sandel

Whether you're naming a baby, or just all about names, you've come to the right place! Appellation Mountain is a haven for lovers of obscure gems and enduring classics alike.

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  1. I find Glen/n really charming and would love to meet a small one. Does not at all register as a nature word to me – despite knowing several towns in the area where I grew up with Glen- as part of their naturey monikers. Maybe because I have an uncle with the name, it reads very much as a person’s name before an ecological one.

    Glenn has hovered around my lists, never making it on because I’d feel awkward using an uncle’s name before many other people in my family tree, and because I’ve recently encountered a monster of a man named Glen. Just completely ruined the handsome, strong and manly image I had previously harbored…

    But I would find Glenn a charming name to hear out on the playground – really refreshing

  2. I find Glen/n really charming and would love to meet a small one. Does not at all register as a nature word to me – despite knowing several towns in the area where I grew up with Glen- as part of their naturey monikers. Maybe because I have an uncle with the name, it reads very much as a person’s name before an ecological one.

    Glenn has hovered around my lists, never making it on because I’d feel awkward using an uncle’s name before many other people in my family tree, and because I’ve recently encountered a monster of a man named Glen. Just completely ruined the handsome, strong and manly image I had previously harbored…

    But I would find Glenn a charming name to hear out on the playground – really refreshing really.

  3. I am thoroughly charmed by Glenn, well, my inner Hippy is anyway. 🙂 I’ve known a couple of them; the one my brother’s age, lived three doors down from us. Glenn MacDonald, from Grammar school. Now he was a sweetie! I find Glenn (and especially Glen) completely charming and handsome. Really refreshing on a little one! I’d love to meet one, because my other half says “no”, to the Hippy aspect of Glen and says Glenn is an 80 year old guy. Alas! So while I can’t use it, I would hug the Mom of a little Glen/n and invite her over for coffee & cookies!

  4. I absolutely love this name, but that probably has something to do with my grandpa being a Glen (one n). The name is warm, pleasing, and I find the nature aspect great (it doesn’t seem as hippy dippy as some of the other nature names out there). My great-grandparents came up with Glen Julian and I love the ring of that – if I were an honorer, this would be the absolute tip top boys name for me. My brit hubby dislikes Glen, though – says it’s dated and kind of low-brow sounding. Good thing it’s not something I’d push for, I guess. In any case, I’d be thrilled to meet another Glen, but of the baby persuasion!

  5. This name definetly has something about it. My personal accountant is called Glenn so I connect it with warmth and friendliness. I agree with Sarah it is a family mans name.

  6. I like the Idea of Glen. I really like that connection with nature, sort of the same as Heath. But I just can’t like the sound.

    Everything else is 100% appealing. He is unusual for someone of a young a age. He has an appealing meaning. He has no bad character assciations. Its a family name for me too. I would love to use him but one syllable names sound a bit blunt to me. Sound is the main way I choose the names I like. So for me, he is middle name material.

    Believe it or not I was going to suggest him as the name of the day myself.