UK boy's name
Lynx
A gender-neutral name derived from the wildcat species.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Lynx is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Lynx popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3688, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 5 births.
This profile covers 5 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2024 to 2024. 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.
Lynx is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 5 living people in the UK are called Lynx. 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 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Lynx ranked #3688 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2024, when 5 boys were registered as Lynx.
- • About 5 living people in the UK are estimated to have Lynx as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3688
2024
Births in 2024
5
Latest year
Peak year
2024
5 births
Estimated living
5
2026
Meaning
What does Lynx mean?
The name Lynx has its origins in the ancient Greek language, deriving from the word "lynx" which referred to the wild feline of the same name. This name likely emerged during the classical period of ancient Greek civilization, which spanned from the 8th century BC to the 6th century AD.
In Greek mythology, the lynx was a symbol of keen vision and vigilance, associated with the goddess Artemis, the huntress and protector of wild animals. The name may have been bestowed upon individuals who were considered sharp-eyed or watchful, mirroring the characteristics of the lynx.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Lynx can be found in the works of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, who lived from 428 BC to 348 BC. In his dialogues, Plato mentions a character named Lynx, though little is known about this individual's historical significance.
During the Renaissance period, which spanned from the 14th to the 17th century, the name Lynx gained popularity among scholars and intellectuals who were fascinated by the classical Greek and Roman cultures. One notable figure was the German mathematician and astronomer Lynx of Hildesheim, who lived from 1350 to 1435 and contributed to the development of astronomical instruments.
In the 17th century, the French philosopher and mathematician René Descartes, who lived from 1596 to 1650, used the pseudonym Lynx to refer to himself in some of his writings. This was likely a reference to his keen intellect and sharp analytical abilities.
Another historically significant figure with the name Lynx was the American writer and poet Lynx Qualey, who lived from 1899 to 1988. She was known for her works exploring themes of nature and the American experience, and her poetry was widely acclaimed during her lifetime.
In the realm of literature, the name Lynx has also been used as a character in various works of fiction, such as the novel "The Lynx" by Hermann Sudermann, published in 1891, and the short story "The Lynx Hunters" by John Buchan, published in 1910.
While the name Lynx has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, it has persisted as a unique and intriguing choice, reflecting the qualities of vigilance, keen perception, and connection to the natural world.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Lynx by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Lynx 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #3688 | 5 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Lynx
- Luke 72,247
- Lewis 69,555
- Leo 63,249
- Liam 60,482
- Lucas 49,061
- Logan 40,771
- Louis 35,898
- Luca 30,323
- Louie 24,242
- Leon 22,308
- Levi 9,931
- Lee 7,861
FAQ
Lynx: questions and answers
How popular is the name Lynx in the UK right now?
In 2024, Lynx was ranked #3688 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Lynx most popular?
The peak year on record was 2024, with 5 babies registered as Lynx in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Lynx?
A gender-neutral name derived from the wildcat species.
How many people are called Lynx in the UK?
A total of 5 babies have been registered as Lynx across the 1 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.