Linus

At a Glance

Origin

Ancient Greek (via Latin)

Gender

Boy

Pronunciation

LY-nusListen

Linus is pronounced LY-nus, and it comes from Ancient Greek by way of Latin. You may have heard that it means ‘flax’ or ‘flaxen-haired’ — that’s a widely repeated claim, but it isn’t confirmed; the actual meaning of the original Greek name is uncertain. What comes through instead is its old-soul, classic character, a name that reads as vintage but still wearable today.

Meaning & Origin of Linus

Origin: Ancient Greek (via Latin).

A common claim: Linus is commonly said to mean 'flax' or 'flax-colored/flaxen-haired,' especially cited as Scandinavian or Greek. Actually: The origin of the Ancient Greek name behind Linus is of uncertain meaning; 'flax' isn't a confirmed meaning.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Linus

Popularity of Linus

Linus hit its highest-ever rank in 1882, at #625, though only 10 babies were given the name that year. By 2024 it had settled at #1425 — with more babies actually named Linus (129) than in 1882, even though the rank is lower.

Names Like Linus

These names share Linus’s style, era or origin.

• Arvid
• Ivar
• Knut
• Olaf
• Sigmund
• Sigurd

FAQ

What does the name Linus mean?

Linus is commonly said to mean ‘flax’ or ‘flax-colored/flaxen-haired,’ especially cited as Scandinavian or Greek. The origin of the Ancient Greek name behind Linus is of uncertain meaning; ‘flax’ isn’t a confirmed meaning.

How do you pronounce Linus?

Linus is pronounced LY-nus (IPA: /ˈlaɪnəs/).

Is Linus a popular name right now?

Linus peaked at #625 in 1882 and is ranked #1425 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1882–2024.)

Make Linus Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Linus, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.