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
Lynx first appeared in U.S. Social Security Administration records as a girl name in 2015, with 5 babies given the name that year. Its peak popularity came in 2023, when 16 Lynxs were born — ranking #6,915 that year. As of 2026, Lynx ranks #11,069 for girls with 8 births, rising sharply (+74% over the past five years). In total, more than 65 Lynxs have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 2010s through 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. Its peak popularity came in 2026, when 73 Lynxs were born — ranking #2,067 that year. As of 2026, Lynx ranks #2,067 for boys with 73 births, rising sharply (+138% over the past five years). In total, more than 504 Lynxs have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 2000s through 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?
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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 →
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- 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.