NameCensus.
Very Rare

Linkoln

A variant spelling of the English surname derived from a region in Britain.

Name Census estimates that about 586 living Americans carry the first name Linkoln. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Linkoln today is around 10 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Linkoln births was 2017 (65 babies).

This page is the full Name Census profile for Linkoln. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.

For a British comparison, Name Census UK has a UK baby-name profile for Linkoln with official rankings and popularity over time.

People living today

586

~ 1 in 584,905 Americans

Peak year

2017

65 babies that year

Average age

10

years old

2024 SSA rank

#4,372

Tracked since 2003

Popularity

Linkoln: popularity over time

The SSA tracks Linkoln from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 359 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Linkoln remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.

Babies born per year

0163349652005201020152020

Decades

Linkoln by decade

The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Linkoln during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.

DecadeMaleFemaleTotal
2000s80080
2010s3590359
2020s1510151

Geography

Where Linkolns live

The SSA's state-level files cover 9 states and territories. California, Texas, Indiana recorded the most babies named Linkoln, while Pennsylvania, Missouri, Ohio recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 8 registrations each.

Origin

Meaning and history of Linkoln

The name Linkoln is a unique and intriguing moniker with a rich history spanning across various cultures and time periods. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient Germanic tribes, where it was derived from the Old English word "linc," meaning "link" or "connecting path." This etymology suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals who were considered bridges or links between different communities or realms.

In the early medieval period, the name Linkoln emerged as a variation of the Old Norse name "Linkuln," which was popular among the Vikings. This variant spelling carried a similar connotation, symbolizing the concept of a connection or a pathway. As the Vikings explored and settled in various regions, the name Linkoln spread across Northern Europe and parts of the British Isles.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Linkoln can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. This historical document mentions a landowner named "Linkuln" who held estates in the county of Lincolnshire, indicating the name's presence in England during the late 11th century.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Linkoln, leaving their mark on various fields. One of the most renowned figures was Linkoln the Gaunt (1336-1368), a renowned English knight and military commander who fought valiantly in the Hundred Years' War against France. His courage and leadership on the battlefield earned him a lasting reputation in the annals of English history.

Another significant figure was Linkoln Steffens (1866-1936), an American journalist and political reformer who played a pivotal role in exposing corruption within municipal governments. His investigative reporting and advocacy for social justice earned him widespread recognition as a pioneer of muckraking journalism.

In the realm of literature, Linkoln Kirstein (1907-1996) left an indelible mark as an American writer, impresario, and co-founder of the New York City Ballet. His contributions to the arts and his patronage of emerging talents significantly shaped the cultural landscape of the 20th century.

The name Linkoln also found its way into the world of music with Linkoln Tomkins (1928-2016), a renowned American composer and teacher whose innovative works pushed the boundaries of contemporary music. His compositions and teachings influenced generations of musicians and continue to inspire artists today.

Finally, one cannot overlook Linkoln Alexander (1922-2012), a pioneering American architect and urban planner whose visionary designs transformed cityscapes across the United States. His commitment to creating sustainable and livable environments earned him numerous accolades and cemented his legacy in the field of architecture.

While the name Linkoln may not be as common as some other monikers, its rich history and the remarkable individuals who have borne it throughout the centuries have undoubtedly contributed to its enduring allure and significance.

People

Linkoln + last name combinations

How many people share a full name with Linkoln as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.

Related

Other names starting with L

Other first names starting with L with a similar number of bearers.

FAQ

Linkoln: questions and answers

How many people in the U.S. are named Linkoln?

Name Census puts the figure at roughly 586 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Linkoln going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 584,905 US residents.

Is Linkoln a common name?

We classify Linkoln as "Very Rare". It ranks above 86% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 590 babies have been registered with this name.

When was Linkoln most popular?

The single biggest year for Linkoln was 2017, when 65 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Linkoln is about 10 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.

What does the SSA popularity chart show?

The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Linkoln in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.

Is Linkoln a male name?

Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Linkoln in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.

Is Linkoln still being used today?

Yes. The SSA still recorded Linkoln in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.

Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?

Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Linkoln can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.

Where does this data come from?

First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.

Does every first name have Census demographic data?

No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.

How common is the name Linkoln?

For a quick modern take, check how many people have the name Linkoln on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org.

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There are 586 people

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Linkoln

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