Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Lin
UnisexChinese, English· “several meanings, including forest”
- Meaning
- several meanings, including forest
- Origin
- Chinese, English
- Pronunciation
- LIHN
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #12,636
- US babies 2025
- 7
- Best rank
- #1,667 (1952)
- Peak year
- 1952
Meaning and origin of Lin
Lin is a Chinese and English name that is usually said to mean “several meanings, including forest”.
Lin has several sources. In Chinese, Lin is a common surname and also a given name, often written with the character meaning forest, which shows two trees side by side. In English, Lin is a short form of names such as Linda, Lindsay or Lynn, and it has been used for both girls and boys. In Scandinavian countries, Lin is also used as a girls' name. It is said LIHN. Related names include Lynn and Linh, a Vietnamese name that can mean spirit.
Other spellings with the same sound: Lynn, Lynne, Lyn, Linn, Linh.
Popularity over time
Lin first appears in US Social Security records in 1917. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,667 in 1952, the same year it reached its highest count of 35 babies. In 2025, 7 babies were named Lin, and it ranked #12,636 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #2,220 in 1950, #4,870 in 1980, #9,589 in 2000, #12,978 in 2010, and #12,636 in 2025. Of the 1,034 US girls named Lin since records began, 26% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 166 babies. Since 2010, 123 more have been named Lin.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Farley, Lanier, and Allyn.
Gender, sound and spelling
Lin is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 64% of US babies named Lin were girls and 36% were boys.
Lin is usually pronounced LIHN, with one syllable. It has three letters, starts with L and ends in “-in”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Lynn, Lynne, Lyn, and Linn.
Middle names for Lin
A few middle names that flow with Lin: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Lin
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Lists that include Lin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lin mean?
Lin is a Chinese and English name that is usually said to mean “several meanings, including forest”.
What is the origin of the name Lin?
Lin has Chinese and English roots. Lin has several sources.
Is Lin a popular name?
Not especially. Lin ranked #12,636 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Lin a boy or girl name?
Lin is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 64% of US babies named Lin were girls and 36% were boys.
How do you pronounce Lin?
Lin is usually pronounced LIHN. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings