Rising since 1988, #1,443 for girls today.
Popularity of Linnea since 1894
Babies named Linnea per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 12 |
| 1900s | 116 |
| 1910s | 360 |
| 1920s | 198 |
| 1930s | 232 |
| 1940s | 822 |
| 1950s | 990 |
| 1960s | 682 |
| 1970s | 700 |
| 1980s | 937 |
| 1990s | 1,199 |
| 2000s | 1,358 |
| 2010s | 1,512 |
| 2020s | 826 |
Meaning & origin
Linnea is a Swedish botanical name that gained modest popularity in the United States over the past century. First recorded in 1894, it saw a steady rise beginning in 1988, reaching its peak rank in 2015. As of 2025, it ranks 1443rd, with 1 in 10,787 girls receiving the name. The name is most common in Minnesota, Utah, and Washington, states with significant Scandinavian American populations. Its gentle floral associations and connection to Carl Linnaeus give it a natural, intellectual appeal.
Linnea derives from the genus name Linnaea, given to the twinflower by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in his own honor. The name became fashionable in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries in the 19th century, often associated with the delicacy of the flower. It has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly among families with Scandinavian heritage.
Where Linnea is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nea, Linn, Linnie
Sibling names for Linnea
Names that share Linnea's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Astrid, Ingrid, Freya, Maja, Elsa, Signe, Daphine, Inga, Klara, Nilsa, Anneka, Anneli, Freja, Glada, Kajsa, Loreli, Sanna, Aanika, Disa, Halena, Halla, Kelda, Kjersten, Kjerstin, Linnae, Malin, Miia, Tarrah, Sunniva, Cynara, Evarose
Brothers: Soren, Bjorn, Erik, Arvid, Oskar, Axel, Mikael, Aksel, Amory, Stellan, Alven, Fredrik, Kriss, Torsten, Eivin, Krist, Matteus, Mattis, Joahan, Joakim, Kristjan
