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NamyLab

Glen

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Valley"

Glen comes from a Gaelic word for valley and became established as a concise given name in English.

Themes:gaeliclandscapescotlandnature

Fact-checked by Sarah Mitchell

B.A. Journalism, Northwestern University10+ Years Parenting WritingMom of ThreeParenting Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Glen

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#2315Ranked in 2024

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#2315

Glen was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
+83

better than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Glen Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Glen.

8 ideas
gley
Nickname
glen
Nickname
glie
Nickname
glo
Nickname
gl
Nickname
GL
Nickname
glenie
Nickname
gleny
Nickname

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Glen mean?
Glen means "Valley". Glen comes from a Gaelic word for valley and became established as a concise given name in English.
What is the origin of Glen?
Glen is of Scottish origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Glen?
According to the latest SSA data, Glen is currently ranked #2315 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Glen a boy name?
Glen is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Glen?
Popular nicknames for Glen include gley, glen, glie, glo, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Glen?
There are many names similar to Glen in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginScottish, Irish
Syllables1
Length4 letters
US Rank#2315
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withG

Explore More Boy Names Like Glen

Glen has Scottish roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Scottish baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Glen appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Nature and Beautiful Irish Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Earth-Inspired Nature Names and Unique Baby Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Glen pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Glen beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.