Quinn is a name of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "cúirt" which means "fifth". It was traditionally given to the fifth son in a family, following the naming pattern used by many Irish families who gave each of their children names beginning with the same letter. This practice was common among families who wanted to ensure that they had enough sons to carry on the family name and traditions.
In modern times, Quinn has become popular as both a boy's name and girl's name. While it is still most commonly used in Ireland, it has gained international recognition and can be found throughout the world. Some notable people with the name Quinn include American actress Emma Quinn, Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan (who was born with the surname Quinn), and Irish poet Patrick Kavanagh.
Despite its origins as a male name, Quinn is now used for both boys and girls. It has been popular in recent years due to its unique sound and its short, catchy nature. It also has a modern, gender-neutral feel that appeals to many parents looking for an original name for their child.
Quinn saw a significant rise in popularity from the late 1960s onwards, with a substantial leap occurring between 1977 and 1978 (from 8 to 66 births). The name reached peak popularity in 2012 with 2110 births. Despite fluctuations over the years, Quinn has maintained its popularity among parents, with a total of 47,144 births recorded between 1948 and 2023.