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© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Lin — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Lima|Lina
Chinese◈ Unisex · 48% boy · 52% girl↓ Fading

◈= unisex (gender-neutral)

Lin

◈

LIN · 1 syllables

Share Lin:
Compare with another name
Boy
#13399
↓ Fading
Boy
#13399
Popularity score: 4
↓ Fading
Peak
#8644 in 2023
5yr
-4755 ranks
Velocity
-4755
Birth frequency
1.4 per 1,000,000 births
Girl
#14471
Popularity score: 3
↑↑ Surging
Peak
#10102 in 2022
5yr
+2123 ranks
Velocity
+2123
Birth frequency
1.7 per 1,000,000 births

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

How Popular Is This Name?

Bars show the range of popularity for each group. The dot shows where this name sits. Further right = more popular.

BOY
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20212024

Rank #13399 · Falling since 2021

All US boy names
Top 200 boy names
Chinese boy names
Lin

Popularity score: 4  ·  SSA Rank: #13399

GIRL
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #14471 · Falling since 2020

All US girl names
Top 200 girl names
Chinese girl names
Lin

Popularity score: 3  ·  SSA Rank: #14471

Rare  ·  Distinctive  ·  Familiar  ·  Common  ·  Very Common

Popularity score: 0 = least popular, 100 = most popular. Based on SSA rank.

Namesake Score
40
Higher than 40% of names
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
↓ Fading
-4755 ranks
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Limited
.com taken · — · tm risk
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
55
31 per 10,000 births
Won't be common in class
Name DNA
NatureChineseUnisex1-syllableMinimalistModernBotanical
Character
precious and refinedrooted in nature
People with this name

Qualities shared by notable Lins

ambitiousartisticpassionateelegantprofessional
STRONG
High confidence

Lin is a Chinese unisex name with cooling SSA momentum. It ranked #13399 in the US in 2024.

Trend:↓ Fading · -4755 ranks
Feasibility:.com taken · — · tm risk
Popularity:#14471 · very rare
Lin at a Glance
Meaning:Lin (琳) means jade or precious gem. It can also mean forest (林), representing nature and growth.
Language root:Mandarin Chinese · Old Chinese
Peak rank:#8644 in 2023
5yr change:-4755 ranks
Sex usage:Boy #13399 · Girl #14471
Notable bearers
Lin Yu-chun
Singer and reality TV personality
Lin Daiyu
Literary character (historically significant)
Lin Chiling
Model and actress
Similar Sound
LynLynn◈LinnLin◈Linden◈
Similar Style
IvyWillow◈Hazel◈Aspen◈Sage◈River◈
Works Well With
Sibling names that pair naturally with Lin
IvyHazel◈Willow◈Finn◈Jasper◈Rowan◈Everett◈Sienna
You Might Also Like
Ivy
English · #4344
↑↑ Surging
Willow◈
English · #3770
↓ Fading
Hazel◈
English · #2837
↑↑ Surging
Aspen◈
English · #962
↑ Rising
Sage◈
English · #413
→ Stable
River◈
English · #112
→ Stable
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Name Intelligence
Lin · Overview
Summary

Lin is a Chinese unisex name with cooling SSA momentum. It ranked #13399 in the US in 2024.

Search interest: 7/100 → Stable

Strengths
Works for any sex
48% boy · 52% girl. A genuinely unisex name is rare at this level of distinctiveness.
Nature · Modern character
Lin carries a soft, grounded, gentle quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
Considerations
Popularity declining
Rank has dropped 4755 positions in the last year. Consider whether this trajectory matters for your decision.
Domain taken
lin.com is not available. Alternative TLDs may work.
Explore

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Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
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