Meaning: Its source is a Spanish expression meaning "Pretty."

Nickname For: Lynda

Compound Forms: Amandalyn, Amberlyn, Angelyn, Ashlyn, Carolyn, Emmalyn, Ethelyn, Jennilyn, Jerilyn, Jolyn, Loralyn, Mandalyn, Mandylyn, Marilyn, Marylyn, Raelyn, Sharilyn, Sharolyn, Taralyn, Teralyn, Terilyn, Terrilyn, Torilyn, Torrilyn, Hollyn and Courtlyn

Popularity: The name Lyn ranked 1170th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Though this name has fluctuated in use, it has been quietly present throughout the last century.

Narrative: Some authorities believe this name derives from the Germanic name element that ends the names Ermalinde, Gerlinde, and others. However, they do not agree on the meaning of that element -- some citing ''tender'' or ''soft,'' others believing that it refers to the serpent as a Teutonic symbol of wisdom.

An alternate theory holds that it developed as a short form of the English names Belinda and Melinda.