Linn Unisex

Popularity: · Trend: → Stable

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recorded in various forms throughout history, including as a surname in the 12th century, and it appears in various historical documents and records.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 #966 nationally, which occurred in 1947, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, Ohio, California, Iowa, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Linn has been trending down 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.

Top States for Linn (1959)

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
PA 7
100%

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.

YearBirths
19895
19866
19857
19846
19836
19827
198010
19797
19788
19777
19757
197412
197313
197212
19719
197014
196917
196814
196710
196613
196511
196416
196318
196218
196120
196043
195931
195833
195730
195634
195532
195427
195337
195236
195144
195035
194943
194835
194750
194642
194541
194429
194327
194236
194129
194029
193926
193822
193723
193613
19356
193411
193317
19327
193110
193017
192918
192822
192719
192610
192514
192424
192316
19229
192114
192011
191914
19189
191710
191612
191511
191410
191314
19127
19115
19026
18975
18935
18916
18845
18826