Declining since 1988, #13,208 for girls today.
Popularity of Linette since 1925
Babies named Linette per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 12 |
| 1930s | 11 |
| 1940s | 147 |
| 1950s | 620 |
| 1960s | 1,077 |
| 1970s | 956 |
| 1980s | 464 |
| 1990s | 400 |
| 2000s | 362 |
| 2010s | 178 |
| 2020s | 58 |
Meaning & origin
Linette, recorded since 1925, is a name that has seen its greatest popularity in the mid-20th century, peaking in 1971. However, its usage has been on a consistent decline since 1988, placing it far from common today at a rank of 13,208 in 2025. With only about 1 in 267,878 newborns receiving the name, Linette remains a rare choice. Its Welsh origin, meaning 'little lake', gives it a gentle, natural appeal, and its French-sounding spelling adds a touch of elegance. While it has never been widespread in the United States, its peak in the 1970s aligns with a broader trend for melodic, feminine names of that era.
Linette is a diminutive of the Welsh name Lynette, itself derived from 'llyn' meaning lake or pool. In French contexts, it may relate to 'lin' (flax) or be a feminine form of Linus, though the Welsh lake meaning is more widely accepted. The name gained some popularity in the English-speaking world during the 20th century.
“Linette” around the world
Where Linette lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lin, Nettie, Linnie
Sibling names for Linette
Names that share Linette's style, for a brother or sister.
