Penn

“from the hill”

American origin · Unisex name

♂ 98% boys♀ 2% girls

#2119US 2023

69Births / yr

↑Rising

951All-time births

📅 Since 201500

How to pronounce Penn

PEN

/ˈpɛn/ · stress on PEN · 1 syllable

“from the hill”

American origin · Unisex name

What does Penn mean and where does it come from?

Penn is often used as a short form of Penelope, but it has also emerged as an independent name. It is derived from the Old English 'penna' meaning 'hill' and the Welsh 'pen' meaning 'head' or 'summit'. Initially used as a surname, it has gained traction as a first name in the U.S. The name has histo

Cultural significance

Penn has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in American-speaking communities, where it reflects values of from the hill.

Peak popularity

Reached #10201 in 2015 — currently #2119 in the US.

🌿

What middle names flow best with Penn?

Penn works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Penn Grace

How popular is Penn right now?

Rising fast — up 429 spots — currently #2119 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 2015–2023#2119 · Top 1.6%

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#2119	69	▲ up 429 · +28% births
2022	#2548	54	▼ down 335 · -16% births
2021	#2213	64	▲ up 9947 · +814% births
2020	#12160	7	▼ down 1959 · -30% births
2015	#10201	10	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Penn

Best Year2023Rank #2119

Peak Count69

Average Rank#5848

Current Trend→Stable

Data Range2015 - 20235 years

The story of Penn

Penn is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 2015. With 951 total births recorded, Penn remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #10201 in 2015 to #2119 in 2023. Penn is used for both genders: 2% female and 98% male.

Names that peaked alongside Penn in 2015:

Emma Olivia Sophia Ava Isabella

Penn by decade

Penn peaked in the 2010s. See all 2010s names →

Decade	Births
1910s	13
1920s	21
1930s	11
1940s	25
1950s	38
1960s	19
1970s	16
1980s	33
1990s	24
2000s	119
2010s ★	553
2020s	79

💎Penn has only 951 total recorded births since 2015 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Penn?

Common

What names sound and feel like Penn?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Penn also consider these

Renn

American · Small, joyful song

Fenn

American · a marsh or

Scotland · Noble one.

Benn

English · English

Henn

Hebrew · A Hebrew name

Lenn

Scotland · Scottish

Common questions about the name Penn

What does the name Penn mean?

Penn means "from the hill" — a name rooted in American tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Penn?

Penn is currently a distinctive and less common name as a baby name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Penn have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Penn?

Penn originates from American tradition. American names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Penn?

Penn is a one-syllable name pronounced P EH1 N. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

How does Penn sound with different last names?

As a one-syllable name, Penn flows best with last names of two or three syllables. Avoid last names ending in the same sound as Penn ends, as this can create an unwanted rhyme. Test by saying the full name out loud several times.