Linux is a gender-neutral given name of African origin. It means "strong" or "forceful." The name has gained significant popularity worldwide due to its association with the Linux operating system, developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991. However, it is important to note that Linus Torvalds was named after his grandfather and not because of any connection to the operating system he created. Despite this, the name Linux has become strongly associated with technology and open-source software. It is often chosen by parents who appreciate the spirit of openness, collaboration, and innovation represented by the Linux operating system.
The name Linux has been given to a total of 75 newborns in the United States over the past decade, with an average of about 8 births per year during this period. The popularity of the name seems to have fluctuated slightly from year to year, but it has remained relatively consistent overall.
In 2012, there were 5 babies named Linux, which was followed by a slight increase in popularity in 2013 with 8 births. After a dip to 6 births in 2015, the name regained some traction in 2016 and 2017 with 8 and 6 births respectively. The trend continued into 2018 with another 7 births.
The most recent data shows that the popularity of the name Linux has been steadily increasing since 2020, with 7 births in that year followed by a significant jump to 9 births in both 2021 and 2022. This upward trend continued into 2023, with a total of 10 babies named Linux born in the United States this year alone.
Overall, while the name Linux may not be among the most popular choices for newborns in the United States, its consistent appearance on the birth records over the past decade indicates that it has maintained a steady and dedicated following among parents who choose to give their children this unique and distinctive name.