Names Ending in "-Lyn"

"-Lyn" is a trendy ending to many modern names, and there's a lot of combinations to choose from ranging from contemporary to classic. These are just a few of my favorites.
  1. Llewellyn
    • Origin:

      Welsh, variation of Llywelyn
    • Meaning:

      "leader's image"
    • Description:

      Llewellyn/Llywelyn is a common patriotic first name in Wales, with its distinctive Welsh double LL's; in the U.S. Llewellyn would make a daring choice, though with the chance that some might find the ellen sound slightly feminine.
  2. Gwendolyn
    • Origin:

      Variation of Gwendolen, Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "white ring"
    • Description:

      One spelling variation that's more popular than the original, this somewhat old-fashioned name might be in honor of poet Gwendolyn Brooks, the first African-American to win a Pulitzer prize for poetry, or may be a way to get to the modern short form Gwen.
  3. Evelyn
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "desired; or water, island"
    • Description:

      Renowned English author Evelyn Waugh pronounced his name "EEV-lin" (fun fact: his first wife, also named Evelyn, was referred to as "She-velyn"). But "EV-uh-lin" also works, and is probably the most familiar pronunciation of the name today.
  4. Marilyn
    • Origin:

      English, combination of Mary and Lynn
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + lake"
    • Description:

      For a name that was in the Top 20 for a whole decade – the 1930's – Marilyn has attained the status of almost a one-person name. Just say the name Marilyn, and most people will know who you mean. Yet strangely enough, though Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jean and renamed in tribute to earlier star Marilyn Miller) was the sex symbol of her generation, very little stardust adhered to her name. In fact, when Mariah Carey wished to honor the star in her daughter's name, she chose to call her Monroe rather than Marilyn.
  5. Jocelyn
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "member of the Gauts tribe"
    • Description:

      Jocelyn has gotten new life and popularity as a result of the current passion for lyn endings. Though it was a male name in medieval times, now Jocelyn couldn't sound more softly feminine.
  6. Madelyn
    • Origin:

      Variation of Madeline, English
    • Meaning:

      "woman from Magdala or high tower"
    • Description:

      Capturing some of the playful elegance of Madeleine, while avoiding any confusion over the end sound, Madelyn is now an established spelling variation of the French classic. Sweet but strong, Madelyn is a versatile choice that lends itself to the almost inevitable nickname Maddy.
  7. Brooklyn
    • Origin:

      Place-name from Dutch
    • Meaning:

      "marshland"
    • Description:

      It may be the hippest of hispter neighborhoods, but as a baby name Brooklyn is now on the decline: down from a peak of 120 births for boys in 1999, and over 7000 births for girls in 2011.
  8. Adalyn
    • Origin:

      Variation of Adeline
    • Meaning:

      "noble one"
    • Description:

      Adalyn is one of a large group of Ad-beginning names for girls, which include Adeline and Adalynn and Adelaide and Addison — essentially, anything leading to the popular nickname Addie is in. Adalyn is a beautiful name, but be prepared to have to spell it out for people often. Adalyn entered the charts in 2007 and rose quickly, but has been fairly steady in the mid 100s for nearly 10 years now.
  9. Carolyn
    • Origin:

      Variation of Caroline
    • Meaning:

      "free man"
    • Description:

      The phonetic Carolyn spelling, which was very popular from the 1920s to the '60s, has been steadily on the wane while Caroline herself has stayed strong.
  10. Ashlyn
    • Origin:

      Variation of Aislinn, Irish
    • Meaning:

      "dream"
    • Description:

      Though it relates to the Irish original, Ashlyn and its next most popular form, Ashlynn, owe more of their popularity as baby names in the US to the megastar Ashley, though all three have been dropping on the charts lately.
  11. Adelyn
    • Origin:

      Variation of Adeline
    • Meaning:

      "noble, nobility"
    • Description:

      Adeline in all its forms, including Adelyn, is rocketing up the list, but we do prefer the original to the variations. Or you might consider varying it yet further to Adelia, Adele, or Adelaide. Or lengthen it to Madeline/Madelyn.
  12. Roslyn
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Rosalind
    • Description:

      Spelling variations abound when a name is trendy, which Rosalind is not these days. We say leave Roslyn back in the middle of the 20th century and reclaim the original Rosalind.
  13. Katelyn
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Caitlin
    • Meaning:

      "pure"
    • Description:

      One of the most popular of the trendy Caitlin variations, Katelyn points directly to components Kate and Lyn --making it a bit more traditionally feminine.
  14. Braelyn
    • Origin:

      Modern invented name
    • Description:

      Braden (and Braeden) had his heyday in the early part of the 21st century, giving rise to many offshoots for both boys and girls. But Braelyn and siblings are now on a long downward slide.
  15. Emlyn
    • Origin:

      Welsh, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "around the valley; rival"
    • Description:

      Gentle and poetic and most often heard in Wales, Emlyn joins Emrys as soft, interesting alternatives to popular Em- names like Emmett and Emery. Sometimes viewed as a Welsh variation of Emiliano, it more likely comes from the Welsh em and glyn meaning "around the valley" (or possibly from llyn, giving it the meaning "around the lake").
  16. Joselyn
    • Origin:

      Variation of Jocelyn, German
    • Meaning:

      "member of the Gauts tribe"
    • Description:

      Variation of Jocelyn that confuses the pronunciation and looks less elegant. We recommend you stick with the beautiful original.
  17. Glyn
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "valley, glen"
    • Description:

      Very popular in Wales; this could make a nice middle name in honor of a Grandpa Glenn.
  18. Roselyn
    • Origin:

      Combination name of Rose and Lynn
    • Description:

      Roselyn was a frequent member of the US Top 1000 in the early twentieth century until it dropped off the charts in 1954. It didn't return until 2003.
  19. Locklyn
    • Origin:

      Variation of male name Lachlin, Gaelic
    • Meaning:

      "lake land"
    • Description:

      This phonetic spelling of a traditional Scottish male name wasn't seen until used by Vince Vaughn for his daughter. As Lachlan becomes more of an established boy's name in the US, more parents are turning to the Locklyn spelling on the girl's side.
  20. Cherilyn
    • Origin:

      Variation of Cheryl, compound name, blending Cheryl and Lyn
    • Meaning:

      "beloved lake; beloved and pretty"
    • Description:

      Sweet and retro, Cherilyn peaked in 1972, when Cher (born Cherilyn Sarkisian) rose to fame. Possibly not quite ready for a comeback, though perhaps fun nickname Cherry might swing it.