UK boy's name
Flinn
A masculine given name derived from the Irish surname Flynn, meaning "descendant of the red-haired one".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2016. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Flinn is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Flinn popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2016 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4810, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2005, with 11 births.
This profile covers 94 England and Wales registrations across 16 recorded years from 1996 to 2016. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 27% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 93 living people in the UK are called Flinn. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2017 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Flinn ranked #4810 for boys in England and Wales in 2016, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2005, when 11 boys were registered as Flinn.
- • About 93 living people in the UK are estimated to have Flinn as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4810
2016
Births in 2016
3
Latest year
Peak year
2005
11 births
Estimated living
93
2026
Meaning
What does Flinn mean?
The name Flinn has its origins in the Gaelic language, stemming from the Irish word "flann" which means "red" or "ruddy". It is believed to have emerged as a given name in Ireland as early as the 6th century AD.
Flinn was a popular name among the ancient Irish, particularly in the regions of Connacht and Munster. Its earliest recorded usage can be traced back to the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history, where it appeared as the name of several notable figures.
One of the most famous historical bearers of the name Flinn was Flann Sinna (879-916 AD), a High King of Ireland who ruled from 879 until his death. He was renowned for his military campaigns against the Vikings and his efforts to unify the various Irish kingdoms under his rule.
Another notable Flinn was Flann Mainistreach (1014-1056 AD), an Irish monk and scribe who served as the abbot of the Monastery of Monasterboice. He was highly regarded for his scholarly works, including several manuscripts on Irish history and literature.
In the 12th century, Flinn was the name of a prominent Irish warrior and leader named Flann O'Muldory (1120-1180 AD). He played a significant role in the ongoing conflicts between the Irish and the Anglo-Normans, leading his clan in battles against the invading forces.
Moving forward in history, Flinn Daly (1550-1617 AD) was an Irish nobleman and military commander who fought in the Nine Years' War against English forces. He was known for his bravery and tactical prowess on the battlefield.
Lastly, Flinn O'Brien (1628-1692 AD) was an Irish poet and historian from County Clare. He authored several works that chronicled the lives of Irish chieftains and preserved the cultural heritage of his homeland.
While the name Flinn has its roots in ancient Ireland, it has since been adopted and used in various parts of the world, particularly in English-speaking countries. However, its historical significance and connection to Irish culture remain a defining aspect of this name's legacy.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Flinn over time
The chart below shows babies named Flinn registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2016. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Flinn, the clearest high point is 2005. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2016, compared with 11 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Flinn by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Flinn was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #3750 | 24 | 5 |
| 2000s | #2316 | 67 | 10 |
| 1990s | #2863 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Flinn
- Freddie 46,945
- Finley 42,410
- Frederick 19,866
- Finlay 17,879
- Frankie 17,528
- Finn 14,413
- Felix 14,361
- Fraser 6,470
- Flynn 6,170
- Frank 5,992
- Filip 5,876
- Francis 5,744
FAQ
Flinn: questions and answers
How popular is the name Flinn in the UK right now?
In 2016, Flinn was ranked #4810 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Flinn most popular?
The peak year on record was 2005, with 11 babies registered as Flinn in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Flinn?
A masculine given name derived from the Irish surname Flynn, meaning "descendant of the red-haired one".
How many people are called Flinn in the UK?
A total of 94 babies have been registered as Flinn across the 16 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.