Linus
Boy name · #1909 in 2025 · Very rare
How old is the name Linus? In official American birth records, Linus has been tracked continuously since 1882, giving it 143 years of documented American history.
Linus ranks #1909 among American boys' names as of 2025, with 82 newborns given the name that year. A decade ago it stood at #1152, so the name has been falling over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 21,951 boys born in 2025 was named Linus.
The 143-year story
Linus first appears in the Social Security records in 1882, when 10 boys received the name. Its peak came in 2017, when 166 boys were named Linus — good for #1141 that year. Today's parents encounter it on its way down the popularity curve, which for many parents is exactly the appeal. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Babies named Linus per year. Source: Official national birth records.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Linus against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Linus in class?
On our rarity read — which blends how common Linus is today with its five-year momentum — the name reads as "very rare". A high score means genuine rarity — your Linus will likely be the only one in the room, with the occasional spelling-out as the price.
Where Linus is most common
State-level data for Linus is too sparse in 2025 to rank by rate — in most states its count falls below the SSA's per-state reporting threshold (counts under 5 are withheld).
Names like Linus
Statistically, parents drawn to Linus tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Sylus, Syrus, Magnus, Tidus, and Tytus.
SylusSyrusMagnusTidusTytusLuciusLeviticusYunus
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Linus | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 82 | #1906 |
| 2024 | 129 | #1423 |
| 2023 | 114 | #1539 |
| 2022 | 126 | #1440 |
| 2021 | 113 | #1546 |
| 2020 | 124 | #1398 |
| 2019 | 112 | #1515 |
| 2018 | 147 | #1255 |
| 2017 | 166 | #1141 |
| 2016 | 131 | #1356 |
| 2015 | 163 | #1152 |
| 2014 | 163 | #1158 |
| 2013 | 130 | #1321 |
| 2012 | 141 | #1249 |
| 2011 | 126 | #1344 |
| 2010 | 117 | #1415 |
| 2009 | 111 | #1497 |
| 2008 | 113 | #1452 |
| 2007 | 91 | #1669 |
| 2006 | 66 | #2010 |
| 2005 | 66 | #1922 |
| 2004 | 63 | #1934 |
| 2003 | 50 | #2180 |
| 2002 | 41 | #2428 |
| 2001 | 44 | #2277 |
Frequently asked questions
How old is the name Linus?
In official American birth records, the name Linus first appeared in 1882 (over 143 years ago), when 10 newborn boys received the name. It has over a century of continuous American history.
Is Linus a popular boy name?
Linus ranked #1909 among boys in 2025 with 82 babies given the name — outside the top 500, making it an uncommon pick. Ten years earlier it ranked #1152.
When was the name Linus most popular?
Linus peaked in 2017, when 166 American boys received the name (ranked #1141 that year). Since 2017 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Linus?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 21,951 newborn American boys was named Linus. On our rarity scale (rarity blended with momentum) we classify it as "very rare".
Data source: Official American birth records, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect registered birth records for American families.