Lin
A male or female given name.
Every Lin since 1898 — 1,897 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Lin
Lin is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #12,636 in 2025 with 7 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1898, 1,897 American babies have been named Lin — about 55% girls and 45% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1959, when 59 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Lin stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Lin year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | #12,636 | — | — |
| 2024 | 6 | #14,522 | 5 | #13,453 |
| 2023 | 5 | #16,605 | 9 | #8,648 |
| 2022 | 10 | #10,112 | 5 | #13,553 |
| 2021 | 7 | #12,955 | 6 | #11,590 |
| 2020 | 8 | #11,696 | — | — |
| 2019 | 13 | #8,415 | — | — |
| 2018 | 5 | #17,121 | — | — |
| 2017 | 5 | #17,369 | — | — |
| 2016 | 9 | #11,411 | 5 | #13,424 |
| 2015 | 6 | #15,624 | 6 | #11,560 |
| 2014 | 12 | #9,306 | 5 | #13,272 |
| 2013 | 7 | #14,038 | 7 | #10,310 |
| 2012 | 10 | #10,932 | 5 | #13,443 |
| 2011 | 5 | #18,420 | 8 | #9,279 |
| 2010 | 8 | #12,978 | 9 | #8,529 |
| 2009 | 10 | #11,148 | 6 | #11,891 |
| 2008 | 5 | #19,289 | 8 | #9,525 |
| 2007 | 11 | #10,544 | — | — |
| 2006 | 9 | #12,010 | 6 | #11,498 |
| 2005 | 16 | #7,351 | — | — |
| 2004 | 16 | #7,268 | 6 | #10,812 |
| 2003 | 17 | #6,777 | — | — |
| 2002 | 7 | #13,033 | — | — |
| 2001 | 12 | #8,520 | 6 | #10,044 |
| 2000 | 10 | #9,589 | — | — |
| 1995 | 10 | #8,459 | — | — |
| 1990 | 6 | #12,254 | 8 | #6,185 |
| 1985 | 11 | #6,284 | 5 | #7,153 |
| 1980 | 15 | #4,870 | 5 | #6,856 |
| 1975 | 6 | #8,590 | 6 | #5,186 |
| 1970 | 6 | #7,575 | 6 | #4,532 |
| 1965 | 11 | #4,086 | 9 | #2,906 |
| 1960 | 35 | #1,940 | 16 | #2,091 |
| 1955 | 31 | #1,930 | 20 | #1,762 |
| 1950 | 20 | #2,220 | 17 | #1,857 |
| 1945 | 7 | #3,859 | 16 | #1,738 |
| 1940 | 10 | #2,872 | 10 | #2,418 |
| 1935 | — | — | 6 | #3,478 |
| 1930 | 5 | #4,938 | 10 | #2,709 |
| 1925 | — | — | 11 | #2,683 |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Lin
- Lin Biao Politician · 1907–1971
- Lin Zexu Politician · 1785–1850
- Lin Yutang Writer · 1895–1976
- Lin Shaye Actor · b. 1943
- Lin Xin Politician · -1300–-1220
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lin mean?
A male or female given name.
How popular is the name Lin in 2025?
Lin ranked #12,636 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 7 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Lin?
1,897 babies have been named Lin in the United States since 1898, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Lin most popular?
Lin peaked in 1959, when 59 newborns received the name.
Is Lin a boy or girl name?
Lin is used for both: about 55% of babies named Lin have been girls and 45% boys.
Is the name Lin rising or falling?
Lin is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Lin?
Well-known people named Lin include Lin Biao (politician), Lin Zexu (politician), Lin Yutang (writer).