Lincoln
Lincoln: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈlɪŋ.kən/
Meaning and origin of Lincoln
Root meaning: “the Roman settlement Lindum Colonia”
- A male given name transferred from the surname, of American usage, originally in honor of Abraham Lincoln.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English Lincolne, from Old English Lincolle, Lindcolen, Lindcylene, from Latin Lindum Colōnia (“the Roman settlement Lindum Colonia”), from Proto-Brythonic *llɨnn (“pool”), from Proto-Celtic *lindos (“lake, liquid”), in reference to the Brayford. In the United States, many of the places established since 1865 are named after Abraham Lincoln.
How popular is Lincoln?
Since 1880, 2,050 girls and 104,918 boys in the U.S. have been named Lincoln (2% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1066 in 2017. Its highest rank for boys was #40 in 2020. In 2025 it ranked #69 for boys, with 4,778 babies given the name.
Names similar to Lincoln
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Surname boy names
Sibling name ideas for Lincoln
Sister and brother names that share Lincoln's Surname roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Lincoln FAQ
What does the name Lincoln mean?
Lincoln traces back to a root meaning "the Roman settlement Lindum Colonia". A male given name transferred from the surname, of American usage, originally in honor of Abraham Lincoln. Inherited from Middle English Lincolne, from Old English Lincolle, Lindcolen, Lindcylene, from Latin Lindum Colōnia (“the Roman settlement Lindum Colonia”), from Proto-Brythonic *llɨnn (“pool”), from Proto-Celtic *lindos (“lake, liquid”), in reference to the Brayford. In the United States, many of the places established since 1865 are named after Abraham Lincoln.
What is the origin of the name Lincoln?
Lincoln is listed as a name of Surname (transferred from a surname) origin.
How popular is the name Lincoln?
Since 1880, 2,050 girls and 104,918 boys in the U.S. have been named Lincoln (2% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1066 in 2017. Its highest rank for boys was #40 in 2020. In 2025 it ranked #69 for boys, with 4,778 babies given the name.
Is Lincoln a boy or girl name?
Lincoln is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 2,050 girls and 104,918 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.