Linn Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: LIN /lɪn/
Origin: English; Scandinavian
Meaning: English: lake; Scandinavian: lime tree
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Linn has its roots in Old English, derived from the word "lind," which refers to a lime tree. This etymology is linked to the Proto-Germanic word "*lindō," which also denotes a lime tree or linden tree, a species historically valued for its timber and medicinal properties.
The name's transition into English can be traced through various linguistic stages, including Old Norse and Middle English, where it may have been used as a topographical surname for someone living near a lime tree or a place characterized by such trees. Historically, the name Linn has been associated with several notable figures and events.
In the medieval period, it was not uncommon for surnames to evolve into given names, particularly in the context of English-speaking regions. The name has been recorded in various forms throughout history, including as a surname in the 12th century, and it appears in various historical documents and records.
While specific instances of individuals named Linn may not be widely documented, the name's connection to nature and its historical roots in English culture contribute to its significance. Culturally, the name Linn embodies a connection to the natural world, symbolizing strength and resilience, much like the lime tree itself.
The lime tree has been associated with various traditions and folklore, often symbolizing protection and healing. This connection to nature may have contributed to the name's endurance over the centuries.
Additionally, diminutive forms such as Linny have emerged in some cultures, reflecting a softer, more affectionate variant of the name. Overall, Linn carries with it a rich tapestry of linguistic and cultural heritage, rooted in the natural environment and historical usage.
Famous people named Linn
In this section, you will find notable people named Linn. 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 Linn who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Linn 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.
Linn Ullmann is an author best known for Unquiet, The Cold Song, and A Blessed Child.
Linn Skåber is an actress and comedian best known for the TV series Hjerte til hjerte, and the film Kule kidz gråter ikke.
Fictional characters named Linn
The following list of fictional characters named Linn 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.
Linn is a fictional character from the video game series The Legend of Zelda. She is a key figure in the storyline, often assisting the protagonist in their quests.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Linn, 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 Linn. 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 Linn was first seen in the United States in 1882.
Linn has ranked as high as #1885 nationally, which occurred in 1956, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, California, and Iowa.
In the past 5 years the name Linn has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Linn 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 Linn was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
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 Linn.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2003 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1997 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1994 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1992 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1990 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1989 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1988 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1987 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1986 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1985 | 14 | 7 | 7 |
| 1984 | 13 | 6 | 7 |
| 1983 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1982 | 18 | 7 | 11 |
| 1981 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1980 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1979 | 16 | 7 | 9 |
| 1978 | 18 | 8 | 10 |
| 1977 | 19 | 7 | 12 |
| 1976 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 1975 | 14 | 7 | 7 |
| 1974 | 17 | 12 | 5 |
| 1973 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1972 | 17 | 12 | 5 |
| 1971 | 20 | 9 | 11 |
| 1970 | 27 | 14 | 13 |
| 1969 | 32 | 17 | 15 |
| 1968 | 25 | 14 | 11 |
| 1967 | 21 | 10 | 11 |
| 1966 | 32 | 13 | 19 |
| 1965 | 31 | 11 | 20 |
| 1964 | 33 | 16 | 17 |
| 1963 | 40 | 18 | 22 |
| 1962 | 40 | 18 | 22 |
| 1961 | 49 | 20 | 29 |
| 1960 | 75 | 43 | 32 |
| 1959 | 67 | 31 | 36 |
| 1958 | 60 | 33 | 27 |
| 1957 | 51 | 30 | 21 |
| 1956 | 84 | 34 | 50 |
| 1955 | 67 | 32 | 35 |
| 1954 | 60 | 27 | 33 |
| 1953 | 64 | 37 | 27 |
| 1952 | 71 | 36 | 35 |
| 1951 | 61 | 44 | 17 |
| 1950 | 59 | 35 | 24 |
| 1949 | 72 | 43 | 29 |
| 1948 | 67 | 35 | 32 |
| 1947 | 68 | 50 | 18 |
| 1946 | 60 | 42 | 18 |
| 1945 | 56 | 41 | 15 |
| 1944 | 38 | 29 | 9 |
| 1943 | 40 | 27 | 13 |
| 1942 | 51 | 36 | 15 |
| 1941 | 37 | 29 | 8 |
| 1940 | 34 | 29 | 5 |
| 1939 | 34 | 26 | 8 |
| 1938 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 1937 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 1936 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1935 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1934 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1933 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 1932 | 12 | 7 | 5 |
| 1931 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1930 | 22 | 17 | 5 |
| 1929 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1928 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 1927 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 1926 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1925 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1924 | 24 | 24 | 0 |
| 1923 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1922 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1921 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1920 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1919 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1918 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1917 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1916 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1915 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1914 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1913 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1912 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1911 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1902 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1897 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1893 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1891 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1884 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1882 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
Top States for Linn (1960)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| OH | 6 |