Lincoln is a name of English origin that has been used for centuries. It comes from the Old English word "lincoln," which means "from the settlement by the pool with muddy springs." The name was originally associated with Lincolnshire, an historic county in eastern England, where there is a city named Lincoln.
The name Lincoln has gained significant popularity and recognition over time due to notable figures who have borne it. One of the most famous Lincolns is Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. Born in Kentucky in 1809, Abraham Lincoln played a crucial role in leading the country through its greatest internal crisis, the American Civil War. His leadership and commitment to preserving the Union have made him one of America's most revered presidents.
Another notable figure with the name Lincoln is Henry "Hank" Aaron, an American baseball player who holds the record for career home runs in Major League Baseball. Born in 1934, Hank Aaron faced racial discrimination throughout his career but became a civil rights icon and was widely admired for his dignity and determination.
In literature, the name Lincoln appears in several works, including "The Education of Henry Adams," an autobiography by American historian Henry Adams, and "The Lincoln Lawyer," a novel by Michael Connelly about a criminal defense attorney who conducts business from his Lincoln town car.
Overall, the name Lincoln has a strong historical foundation and is associated with notable figures known for their leadership, determination, and resilience. It continues to be a popular choice among parents seeking a timeless and meaningful name for their children.
Here are some interesting statistics about the name Lincoln in the United States:
From 1985 to 1994, there were consistently low numbers of babies named Lincoln each year, ranging from just 5 births per year up to a peak of 12 births in 1993. However, starting in 1997, there was a noticeable increase in the popularity of the name Lincoln.
In the year 2000, there were 7 babies named Lincoln, and this number remained steady at around 5-10 births per year until 2008 when it started to rise significantly. In fact, from 2008 onwards, the number of babies named Lincoln has steadily increased each year.
By 2013, there were already 61 births with the name Lincoln, and this figure more than doubled in just one year to reach 127 births in 2014. The trend continued with an even greater increase in popularity: from 158 babies named Lincoln in 2015, the number rose to a peak of 240 births in 2017.
After peaking at this high number, there has been a slight decrease in recent years, with 165 births in 2018 and 185 births in 2019. However, the name Lincoln remains consistently popular, with around 150-185 babies named Lincoln each year since 2017.
In total, there have been an estimated 1897 babies named Lincoln born in the United States between 1985 and 2023. This statistic underscores the growing popularity of this name over time, particularly from around 2008 onwards.