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Glen

Boy name · 932 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Glen: 932 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 48 births in 1993.

Glen is a classic Scottish and Irish name, drawn directly from the Gaelic word *gleann*, meaning "valley" – a landscape feature that shapes so much of Scotland's dramatic scenery. Among its most famous bearers are the American country singer Glen Campbell, whose guitar work and hit "Rhinestone Cowboy" remain iconic, and the Irish musician Glen Hansard, frontman of The Frames and star of the film *Once*. The name appears throughout Scotland in countless place names, most famously Glen Coe, the hauntingly beautiful site of a 1692 massacre, and the Speyside valley of Glen Fiddich, home to the renowned whisky distillery. While the spelling *Glenn* is common, particularly as a surname, the simpler Glen retains a strong, nature-rooted charm that has never strayed far from Scottish naming traditions.

Boy 52 of 52 years

Peak year
199348 babies
Latest (2025)
#4956 babies
Total births
932since 1974
5-year trend
▲ 6%vs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 1993 · 48
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).