Lynx
A lynx is any of the four extant species within the medium-sized wild cat genus Lynx. The name originated in Middle English via Latin from the Greek word lynx, derived from the Indo-European root *leuk-, in reference to the luminescence of its reflective eyes.
Meaning & Origin of Lynx
What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.
A lynx is any of the four extant species within the medium-sized wild cat genus Lynx. The name originated in Middle English via Latin from the Greek word lynx, derived from the Indo-European root *leuk-, in reference to the luminescence of its reflective eyes.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →
The Story of Lynx
As a girl name
The earliest SSA record of Lynx as a girl name dates back to 2015, when 5 babies received it. 2023 was its biggest year on record, with 16 newborns named Lynx — #6,915 in the national rankings. About 74% of every Lynx on record arrived during the 2020s, its defining decade. Lynx last appeared in the published SSA data in 2024, with 8 recorded births — it has not charted nationally since. All told, over 65 Americans have carried the name since 1880, from the 2010s to the 2020s.
As a boy name
Lynx first appeared in U.S. Social Security Administration records as a boy name in 2008, with 7 babies given the name that year. The name hit its high-water mark in 2026: 73 births, good for #2,067 nationwide. About 73% of every Lynx on record arrived during the 2020s, its defining decade. As of 2026, Lynx ranks #2,067 for boys with 73 births, rising sharply (+138% over the past five years). All told, over 504 Americans have carried the name since 1880, from the 2000s to the 2020s.
Popularity Over Time
Popularity by State
Names that sound like Lynx
Phonetically similar names — useful when Lynx is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.
Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lynx
What does the name Lynx mean?
How popular is Lynx in 2026?
When was Lynx most popular?
In which U.S. states is Lynx most popular?
Is Lynx a unisex name?
What names go well with Lynx?
About the name Lynx
Lynx is a unisex baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 2008 and has accumulated 504 births in the dataset. Lynx's peak popularity came in 2026 when it ranked #2,067. Use the chart and map above to compare Lynx's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.
Continue exploring
- Top names of 2026 →
- Names of the 2020s →
- Names starting with "L" →
- Browse all boy names →
- Top names of 2026 →
- Browse unisex names →
Data sources
- Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
- Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
- Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
- Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
- Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .
Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.