Runyon

Runyon is a surname and placename used in various contexts in the United States. It is most commonly encountered as the name of individuals and places, often reflecting connections to families bearing the surname.

Damon Runyon (1880–1946) was an American journalist and writer whose stories about Broadway life, published in newspapers and magazines, established a distinctive voice and slang. His work popularized what is often called the Runyonian style and inspired the Broadway musical Guys and Dolls (1950). Runyon’s anecdotes and character types helped shape perceptions of mid-20th-century American city life.

Runyon Canyon Park is a public park in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles, California. It is known for its network of hiking trails and views over the city, attracting walkers, runners, and photographers. The park and surrounding area, including Runyon Canyon Road, are part of the urban landscape that carries the Runyon name into everyday use.

Beyond these uses, the surname Runyon appears in various other toponyms and family lineages, typically as an attribution to individuals bearing the name. In cultural and geographic contexts, Runyon has accrued associations through people, places, and the influence of Damon Runyon’s literary legacy.