Linus
Boy name · #1909 in 2025 · Uniqueness 81/100
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, 1880–2025. Source: SSA.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Linus against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Linus in class?
Linus scores 81 out of 100 on our uniqueness scale, which blends current rarity with five-year momentum — putting it in the "rare" band. 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
Geography matters for names, and Linus is no exception. In 2025 the states with the most Linuss were WI (8), CA (7), MN (7), IL (6), MI (5). Raw counts naturally favor populous states, but the spread still hints at where the name is part of the local naming culture.
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
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. It scores 81/100 on our uniqueness scale (rarity blended with momentum), which we classify as "rare".
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration name statistics, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect Social Security card applications; names with fewer than 5 occurrences in a state-year are suppressed by the SSA.