Linh Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: leen /liːn/
Origin: Vietnamese
Meaning: forest; jade
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Linh has its roots in Vietnamese, where it is commonly used as a feminine given name. In Vietnamese, the name can be derived from the word "linh," which translates to "spirit" or "soul," reflecting a connection to the ethereal or spiritual realm.
The name is often associated with qualities such as purity and grace, which are culturally significant in Vietnamese society. The linguistic evolution of Linh is primarily contained within the Vietnamese language, which has its own rich history influenced by Chinese, French, and indigenous elements, but the name itself remains distinctly Vietnamese in its essence and usage.
Historically, the name Linh has been borne by various notable figures in Vietnamese history, including scholars and artists, contributing to its cultural significance. The name's prominence can be traced back through centuries of Vietnamese literature and folklore, where it often appears in poetry and stories that emphasize virtues such as wisdom and compassion.
During the 20th century, as Vietnam underwent significant social and political changes, names like Linh maintained their cultural resonance, symbolizing continuity and heritage amidst transformation. In Vietnamese culture, names are often chosen for their meanings and the qualities they embody.
Linh, with its connotations of spirit and purity, is frequently associated with auspiciousness and positive attributes. This cultural significance has helped the name endure through generations, making it a cherished choice among families.
Additionally, diminutive forms or variations of Linh, such as Linh Chi or Linh Nga, may also be used, further enriching its cultural tapestry while retaining the core essence of the name.
Famous people named Linh
In this section, you will find notable people named Linh. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Linh who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Linh who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Linh Nguyen is a chef best known for MasterChef Vietnam, Top Chef Vietnam, and culinary competitions.
Linh Dan Pham is an actress best known for Indochine, The Dreamers, and The Last Mistress.
Fictional characters named Linh
The following list of fictional characters named Linh is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Linh is a fictional character from the novel The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco. She is a powerful necromancer who navigates the complexities of her abilities and the expectations of her society.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Linh, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Linh. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Linh was first seen in the United States in 1975.
Linh has ranked as high as #1058 nationally, which occurred in 1984, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Minnesota, and Colorado.
In the past 5 years the name Linh has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Linh is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Linh was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Linh (2022)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Linh.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2014 | 27 |
| 2013 | 20 |
| 2012 | 29 |
| 2011 | 22 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2009 | 17 |
| 2008 | 22 |
| 2007 | 27 |
| 2006 | 24 |
| 2005 | 16 |
| 2004 | 21 |
| 2003 | 25 |
| 2002 | 17 |
| 2001 | 23 |
| 2000 | 26 |
| 1999 | 33 |
| 1998 | 29 |
| 1997 | 37 |
| 1996 | 42 |
| 1995 | 42 |
| 1994 | 41 |
| 1993 | 44 |
| 1992 | 48 |
| 1991 | 62 |
| 1990 | 42 |
| 1989 | 51 |
| 1988 | 44 |
| 1987 | 64 |
| 1986 | 57 |
| 1985 | 62 |
| 1984 | 64 |
| 1983 | 61 |
| 1982 | 61 |
| 1981 | 54 |
| 1980 | 40 |
| 1979 | 25 |
| 1978 | 15 |
| 1977 | 12 |
| 1976 | 6 |
| 1975 | 6 |