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Wren

/REN/

Wren is a girl name of English origin, meaning The wren, a small songbird.

  • GenderGirl
  • OriginEnglish
  • StyleOriginal
  • Syllables1
  • US rank#279

What does Wren mean?

The wren, a small songbird

From the Old English wrenna, the name of the bird. As a given name it is entirely modern.

The story behind the name

The wren is tiny and extremely loud, and European folklore made it the king of the birds: in the old fable, the birds agree that whoever flies highest shall be king, and the wren wins by hiding in the eagle's feathers and popping out at the top.

Christopher Wren, who rebuilt fifty-two London churches and St Paul's Cathedral after the Great Fire, carries it as a surname.

Wren as a first name appeared in the 2010s and has climbed quickly, part of the same nature-name turn that produced Willow, Sage and River. It is given mostly to girls but reads comfortably as unisex.

Notable people named Wren

  • Christopher Wren, architect (as a surname)

How popular is Wren?

Wren has been given to 7,666 babies in the United States since 1888, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.

About 1 in 1,650 babies born in the United States were given this name in the most recent year on record.

05001,000188819542020
Babies named Wren per year in the United States, 1888–2020. Source: Social Security Administration
7,666 Babies named since 1888
2010s Peak decade
Rising Recent trend

Variants and related names

Other spellings: Ren, Wrenn

Related names: Willow, Sage, Robin, Lark, Ivy

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Frequently asked questions about Wren

What does the name Wren mean?

Wren means The wren, a small songbird. It is of English origin.

Is Wren a boy's or a girl's name?

Wren is most often given to girls.

How do you pronounce Wren?

Wren is pronounced REN.

How popular is the name Wren?

Wren has been given to 7,666 babies in the United States since 1888, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.

What are other spellings of Wren?

Common variants include Ren, Wrenn.