Lin
Lin is a boy's name of Chinese origin.
Meaning
Forest, woods, or fine jade.
Origin and history
Lin is a unisex name of Chinese origin most commonly meaning forest or woods. In English-speaking countries, it also serves as a short form for names like Lincoln or Lindell, or a variant spelling of Lynn. In the United States, it has been used consistently but remains relatively rare as a male given name.
Popularity in the United States
863 babies in the United States have been named Lin since 1880. It ranks #3814 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1902.
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 5 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 32 |
| 1920-1930 | 75 |
| 1930-1940 | 66 |
| 1940-1950 | 153 |
| 1950-1960 | 205 |
| 1960-1970 | 142 |
| 1970-1980 | 38 |
| 1980-1990 | 37 |
| 1990-2000 | 8 |
| 2000-2010 | 32 |
| 2010-2019 | 45 |
| 2020-2029 | 25 |
Famous people named Lin
- Lin Carter: Author, Editor
Fun facts
- While most prominent as a Mandarin Chinese name meaning forest (林), Lin also functions as a short form of English names like Lincoln.
- Lin is used for both boys and girls worldwide, valued for its brevity and gentle sound.