Penn is an uncommon but intriguing given name of Welsh origin. It is derived from the Welsh word "pen" which means "head". Therefore, the name Penn signifies leadership or being at the forefront.
The name has a rich history in Wales, with several notable figures bearing it throughout centuries. One of the most prominent was Sir William Penn (1621-1718), an English colonel and real estate entrepreneur who founded the colony of Pennsylvania in what is now the United States. He named the colony after his son, also called William Penn Jr., whose name was derived from the Welsh "pen" meaning head.
Another notable figure bearing this name is Sean Penn, an American actor and filmmaker born on August 17, 1960. His parents named him after the Welsh word "pen", reflecting their admiration for the strength and leadership it signifies.
Despite its rich history and meaningful origin, Penn remains relatively uncommon as a given name. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, it has never ranked among the top 1000 most popular boys' names. However, this scarcity might be one of the reasons why people named Penn often stand out and are remembered for their unique name.
In conclusion, Penn is a unique and meaningful name with Welsh origins that signifies leadership and being at the forefront. While it has been borne by several notable historical figures, it remains relatively uncommon as a given name today.
The name Penn has been used consistently but not frequently for newborns in the United States over the past century. Between 1915 and 2023, there have been a total of 1117 births registered with the first name Penn.
In the early to mid-20th century, the number of annual births with this name fluctuated between five and eight. It wasn't until the late 1940s that we began to see a more significant increase in its popularity, with seven births recorded in both 1946 and 1947.
The trend continued into the 1950s, with peaks of seven births in 1954 and eight in 1959. However, it wasn't until the late 1980s that Penn began to gain substantial traction as a baby name, with seven births recorded each year from 1986 to 1989.
The 21st century has seen a dramatic increase in the number of newborns named Penn. In 2007, there were 14 births, more than doubling to 32 in 2009. The popularity of the name continued to grow, reaching a high of 79 births in 2014.
While there has been some fluctuation since then, with numbers ranging from 49 to 73 births per year between 2018 and 2022, Penn remains a popular choice for parents. In fact, 68 newborns were named Penn in the United States in 2023 alone.
Overall, while the name Penn may not be among the most common in the U.S., it has maintained steady popularity over time, with several notable peaks in recent decades. It's clear that many parents continue to choose this name for their children, suggesting that there is something appealing and distinctive about the sound or meaning of Penn.