Rising since 1996, #6,116 for girls today.
Popularity of Meilin since 1986
Babies named Meilin per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 11 |
| 1990s | 18 |
| 2000s | 116 |
| 2010s | 120 |
| 2020s | 85 |
Meaning & origin
Meilin first appeared in U.S. records in 1986, and its usage has been steadily climbing since 1996, reaching a peak in 2010. As of 2025, it ranks 6116, with about 1 in 84,593 babies receiving the name. The upward trajectory suggests growing appeal, likely influenced by cross-cultural naming trends. Its exact origins remain unclear: Meilin may be a modern blend drawn from Chinese elements, where 'mei' often suggests beauty and 'lin' forest, or a respelling of names like Maylin. Despite this uncertainty, the name's phonetic appeal and multicultural resonance have contributed to its steady rise in the United States.
Meilin may be a modern coinage blending elements from Chinese names, where 'Mei' can mean 'beautiful' and 'Lin' can mean 'forest', or from English names like May or Lin. It has been used in the United States since at least 1986, with rising popularity since 1996.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mei, Lin, Mimi
Variants: Maylin, Mei Lin, Mae Lin
Sibling names for Meilin
Names that share Meilin's style, for a brother or sister.
