Gleann

Gleann is a Gaelic-language word meaning "valley." It is used in both Scottish Gaelic and Irish Gaelic as a topographic term and appears frequently in place names across Gaelic-speaking regions. In English-language maps, the corresponding feature is often rendered as Glen, though many place names retain the Gaelic form Gleann in signage and official use.

The word Gleann derives from the common Gaelic term for a valley and is cognate with the Irish Gleann. In modern usage, Gleann is typically found as part of a compound name describing a particular valley, often in reference to nearby mountains, rivers, or settlements.

Geographically, Gleann occurs in Ireland and Scotland, particularly in areas with strong Gaelic heritage such as the Scottish Highlands, the Western Isles, and rural parts of Ireland. It may occur as a standalone village name or, more often, as a descriptive element within longer names for valleys, glens, or pass-through landscapes.

In contemporary contexts, Gleann is used in Gaelic-language media, signage, and cultural branding, and also appears in fictional works that portray Gaelic landscapes. Its Anglicized counterpart, Glen, remains common in English-language usage.