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At a Glance: Name: Linnea – Meaning: the twinflower (Linnaea borealis), a plant named in honor of botanist Carl Linnaeus – Origin: Swedish (Latinized) – Gender: Girl – Pronunciation: lin-AY-ah
Linnea is a Swedish (Latinized) name meaning the twinflower (Linnaea borealis), a plant named in honor of the botanist Carl Linnaeus. It's pronounced lin-AY-ah, and its nature-rooted, wandering feel fits parents drawn to bohemian, globally-minded, outdoorsy names. If you're weighing it for a daughter, you're choosing a name with a real botanical story behind it, not just a pretty sound.
Meaning & Origin of Linnea
Meaning: The twinflower (linnaea borealis), a plant named in honor of botanist carl linnaeus.
Origin: Swedish (Latinized).
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Linnea
Phonetic: lin-AY-ah IPA: /lɪˈneɪə/
Popularity of Linnea
Linnea has never been a chart-topper in the U.S.: it reached its highest point at #745 back in 1945, with 101 babies given the name that year. By 2024 it sat at #1608 with 130 babies, so while usage has ticked up slightly in raw numbers, the name has actually slipped in rank over the SSA's 1894-2024 record.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1894–2024.
Make Linnea Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Linnea, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
Names With a Similar Story
Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.
FAQ
What does the name Linnea mean?
The twinflower (linnaea borealis), a plant named in honor of botanist carl linnaeus. (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Linnea)
How do you pronounce Linnea?
Linnea is pronounced lin-AY-ah (IPA: /lɪˈneɪə/).
Is Linnea a popular name right now?
Linnea peaked at #745 in 1945 and is ranked #1608 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1894–2024.)
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