Erynn, derived from the Welsh word 'eryr', meaning 'snowy mountain peak', is a unique and uncommon feminine given name. It was created by author Mercedes Lackey for her character Erythandyr in her series "The Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms". The name gained popularity outside of literature due to its distinctive sound and beautiful origin. Spelled with one 'n' at the end, it is often pronounced as /ˈɛrɪn/ or /əˈraɪn/, rhyming with 'errin' or 'airen'. There are no traditional variations of Erynn, but some parents opt for similar-sounding names like Erin, Arianna, or Isolde. The name has been used infrequently in the United States and other English-speaking countries since the mid-20th century. As of 2020, it is still considered quite rare, with fewer than 1,000 individuals bearing this name in the U.S., according to Social Security records.
The name Erynn was quite popular from the late 1970s onwards, with a significant increase in its usage starting around 1987 and peaking in 1999 with 73 births that year. However, there has been a steady decline since then, reaching as low as 15 births in 2023. Over the entire period from 1970 to 2023, a total of 1807 children were named Erynn at birth.