Linus Boy

Popularity: #856 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: LYE-nus //ˈlaɪ.nəs//

Origin: Greek; Latin

Meaning: Greek: 'flax'; Latin: 'from the town of Linus'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Linus has its roots in ancient Greek, derived from the name Λῖνος (Linos), which is believed to be connected to the Greek word for 'flax' or 'linen.' This etymology suggests a link to the cultivation of flax, a plant used for making linen, which was significant in ancient agricultural societies. The name made its way into Latin as Linus, maintaining its original form and meaning, before being adopted into various languages, including English, through the influence of classical texts and translations.

Historically, Linus is associated with several notable figures in antiquity. In Greek mythology, Linus was a musician and poet, often credited as a son of Apollo.

He is also recognized in Christian tradition as a saint and the second pope of Rome, serving in the first century AD. His martyrdom is commemorated in the Roman Catholic Church, and he is often depicted in early Christian art.

The name Linus appears in various historical texts, including the writings of early Church Fathers, which helped solidify its presence in Christian nomenclature. Culturally, the name Linus has been embraced in various traditions, often symbolizing wisdom and creativity due to its associations with music and poetry.

In addition, the name has been used in literature and popular culture, further enhancing its resonance. A notable diminutive form is Lino, which has been used in several cultures.

The enduring nature of the name Linus can be attributed to its rich historical background and the positive connotations associated with its bearers throughout history.

Famous people named Linus

In this section, you will find notable people named Linus. 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 Linus who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Linus 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.

Linus Torvalds is a software engineer best known for creating Linux and Git.

Linus Pauling is a chemist and peace activist best known for his work in quantum chemistry and for advocating for nuclear disarmament.

Linus Roache is an actor best known for his roles in Law & Order, The Chronicles of Riddick, and Vikings.

Linus Sandgren is a cinematographer best known for La La Land, First Man, and No Time to Die.

Fictional characters named Linus

The following list of fictional characters named Linus 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.

Linus van Pelt is a fictional character from the comic strip Peanuts. He is known for his security blanket and philosophical insights, often serving as Charlie Brown's best friend.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Linus, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

LeoLiamLucaLaraLilaLydia

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Linus. 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.

LorenzoLucasLiamLucaLeviLyndonLanceLorenLyle

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Linus was first seen in the United States in 1882.

Linus has ranked as high as #2491 nationally, which occurred in 2017, and has been most popular in California, Minnesota, New York, Texas, and Ohio.

In the past 5 years the name Linus has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Linus 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 Linus was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Top States for Linus (2024)

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
TX 10
15%
CA 10
15%
MN 9
14%
WA 8
12%
PA 7
11%
MI 6
9%
IN 5
8%
NY 5
8%
WI 5
8%

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 Linus.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 82 82
2024 129 129
2023 114 114
2022 126 126
2021 113 113
2020 124 124
2019 112 112
2018 147 147
2017 166 166
2016 131 131
2015 163 163
2014 163 163
2013 130 130
2012 141 141
2011 126 126
2010 117 117
2009 111 111
2008 113 113
2007 91 91
2006 66 66
2005 66 66
2004 63 63
2003 50 50
2002 41 41
2001 44 44
2000 48 48
1999 49 49
1998 29 29
1997 32 32
1996 23 23
1995 18 18
1994 18 18
1993 11 11
1992 16 16
1991 6 6
1990 15 15
1989 9 9
1988 10 10
1987 14 14
1986 9 9
1985 8 8
1984 10 10
1983 8 8
1982 7 7
1981 14 14
1980 17 17
1979 13 13
1978 14 14
1977 11 11
1976 10 10
1975 14 14
1974 17 17
1973 10 10
1972 14 14
1971 21 21
1970 14 14
1969 19 19
1968 20 20
1967 16 16
1966 24 24
1965 21 21
1964 19 19
1963 26 26
1962 31 31
1961 24 24
1960 34 34
1959 20 20
1958 35 35
1957 25 25
1956 32 32
1955 31 31
1954 30 30
1953 30 30
1952 31 31
1951 19 19
1950 28 28
1949 33 33
1948 32 32
1947 29 29
1946 24 24
1945 32 32
1944 33 33
1943 35 35
1942 43 43
1941 34 34
1940 45 45
1939 28 28
1938 40 40
1937 25 25
1936 33 33
1935 36 36
1934 31 31
1933 28 28
1932 39 39
1931 30 30
1930 34 34
1929 41 41
1928 46 46
1927 46 46
1926 61 61
1925 54 54
1924 48 48
1923 46 46
1922 45 45
1921 62 62
1920 55 55
1919 46 46
1918 49 49
1917 51 51
1916 49 49
1915 47 47
1914 30 30
1913 31 31
1912 20 20
1911 9 9
1910 8 8
1909 6 6
1906 5 5
1905 7 7
1900 6 6
1896 7 7
1895 5 5
1894 7 7
1893 7 7
1888 6 6
1885 5 5
1884 10 10
1882 10 10