Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Lennon

Lennon is the transferred use of an anglicized Irish surname with Gaelic origins. In its original Gaelic form Ó Leannáin essentially means “son of Leannáin” with “Leannáin” being the Gaelic word for “lover”. The clan name originated out of Northern Ireland in what is now a part of the United Kingdom. The first recorded spelling of this surname appeared in the late 14th century rendered as Teag O'Lennon, the Erenagh of Eniskillen (an erenagh is a keeper of church lands which was an office held by many O’Lennons in the Middle Ages). Most likely the surname developed from a nickname originally bestowed on some “lover” type. Other etymologists surmise that Lennon may have also been taken from Ó Lonáin – Lonáin being a diminutive form of the Gaelic “lon” meaning “blackbird” and would therefore mean “little blackbird”. Either etymology is quite fitting for Lennon’s most famous namesake: British musician John Lennon of the Beatles (1940-1980). John Lennon was certainly a “lover” of humanity and a strong advocate for world peace. And he was also that “blackbird singing in the dead of night…” waiting for that “moment to arise”. They must love John Lennon in Scotland where the surname is currently a Top 100 pick as a boy’s given name. It’s only just catching on in the United States.

All About the Baby Name – Lennon

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME LENNON

The number 11 is a Master Number, and embodies heightened traits of the Two. This personality is on a life journey to find spiritual truth. They are extremely idealistic and intuitive. Elevens have a rare and exceptional spiritual energy that brings a sense of obligation to illuminate the world around them. It's a very powerful responsibility, but these people have far more potential than they know. It's important that they surrender to higher ideals. They have the capacity to see the bigger picture, and they possess the skills to inspire others spiritually. Elevens have strong diplomatic skills and can become great peacemakers. Master numbers can be both a blessing and a curse, as they walk the fine line between greatness and the potential for self-destruction.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME LENNON

As a male given name in America, Lennon has only been in circulation on the Top 1000 list since 2008. In the few short years this name has come into existence it has only shown favorable increases on the charts indicating this name is finding a wider audience. No doubt Lennon is being used in homage to the former Beatle star much in the same way parents use (Bob) Marley, (Elvis) Presley, (Michael) Jackson or even jazz great (Charlie) Parker. But Lennon is also picking up steam due to the fact that it fits the trendy surname-as-forename naming style. We also think this one feels gender-neutral and would work well on either sex – but for now at least Lennon doesn’t show up on the female Top 1000. John Lennon was more than just a musician and talented songwriter – he was also an activist who cared deeply about human equality. We think Lennon is an appropriate name for the die-hard, true-blue fans of John Lennon, but bestowing Lennon on your sons or daughters just because you think it sounds cool or follows a certain trend tarnishes the spirit of the name. Overuse of names like Marley and Presley has resulted in these names losing their authentic musical values. We’d hate to see this happen to Lennon. We say consider another surname if you’re not really a “lover” of John Lennon.

Quick Facts

ON LENNON

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

Gaelic

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

769

PRONUNCIATION:

LEN-әn

SIMPLE MEANING:

Lover

Characteristics

OF LENNON

Inspirational

Highly Intuitive

Spiritual Teacher

Extremely Bright

Uplifting

Truth-seeker

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Lennon

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME LENNON

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Lennon

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME LENNON

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Lennon


Popular Songs

ON LENNON

Who Killed John Lennon
a song by Ellis Paul

Lennon Sky
a song by Flying Blind

John Lennon
a song by The Outfield

I Just Shot John Lennon
a song by The Cranberries

Famous People

NAMED LENNON

We cannot find any celebrities or significantly famous people with the first name Lennon.

Children of Famous People

NAMED LENNON

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Lennon

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME LENNON

John Lennon was one of the most famous and celebrated singer-songwriters, arguably of all time, who made musical history as part of the Beatles, as well as in a soloist role and in collaboration with his second wife, Yoko Ono. Born in Liverpool, England, John and the other “Quarrymen” evolved into the Beatles in the 1960s and rose to immeasurable fame, wealth and notoriety. John was always known as “the intellectual one” in the quartet, and both amused and scandalized the public with his irreverent remarks, his brush with Eastern religions, his political activism and his drug use. Lennon had two sons, Julian by his first wife, Cynthia Powell, and Sean by his second wife, Yoko Ono. He was gunned down by Mark David Chapman outside his apartment building in New York on December 8, 1980.