Lincoln is a popular given name for males in English-speaking countries. Its origin can be traced back to the Middle Ages in England where it was originally an occupational surname given to someone who lived near a patch of land that was covered with flax plants, which were used to make linen cloth. The name is derived from the Old English words "lin" meaning "flax" and "c" meaning "land".
The name Lincoln has several variations including Lindsey and Linkoln among others. It can also be used as a surname.
Historically, the name Lincoln gained prominence in the United States due to Abraham Lincoln, who was the 16th President of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. Although Abraham Lincoln's parents gave him the name "Abe," he later adopted his given name as a part of his public persona.
Today, the name Lincoln is still popular among new parents and has been used by several celebrities for their children including actors Matthew McConaughey and Jessica Biel.
The name Lincoln has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past century in the United States. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of babies named Lincoln ranged from single digits to around 30 per year. However, starting in the 1960s, there was a notable uptick in popularity.
In 1961, 119 babies were named Lincoln, more than doubling by 1964 with 202 births that year. The trend continued throughout the following decades, with the number of Lincolns born each year reaching quadruple digits in 2005 (502 births) and then breaking into five figures for the first time in 2006 (1109 births).
The popularity of the name Lincoln has continued to rise in recent years. In 2013, there were 4039 babies named Lincoln, which increased to 8195 in 2017 and peaked at 95565 total births between 1880 and 2023.
Overall, these statistics show a consistent rise in popularity for the name Lincoln over time, with significant growth starting in the mid-20th century. This trend has continued into the current decade, making it one of the more popular names in recent years.