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Linus
♂ Boy
Pronounced LY-nus /ˈlaɪ.nəs/Low
Meaning: Flaxen-haired; linen-colored hairLow
In 30 seconds: Linus is a Greek name meaning flaxen-haired. In Greek mythology Linus was a son of Apollo. As the Peanuts character and Linux inventor, it carries both classical and modern associations.
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MeaningFlaxen-haired; linen-colored hair
U.S. rank (2025)#1913 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births82 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2017
Total births (all-time)≈ 5,343
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Linus is a Greek name meaning flaxen-haired. In Greek mythology Linus was a son of Apollo and music teacher to Heracles.
Linus has a warm intellectual quality in the United States associated with the Peanuts character and Linux.
Did you know? Linus from the Peanuts comic strip — blanket in hand, philosophical and wise — is one of the most beloved characters in American comic history. The Linux operating system was named for its creator Linus Torvalds.
Overall data confidence 90%
Variations
LinusLino
Nicknames
Lin
Famous Bearers
- ★Linus Torvalds (b. 1969)Finnish-American software engineer who created the Linux kernel and the Git version control system
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Frequently Asked
What does Linus mean?
Flaxen-haired; linen-colored hair
How do you pronounce Linus?
Linus is pronounced LY-nus.
What is the origin of Linus?
Linus comes from Greek, Latin.
What names are similar to Linus?
Similar names include felix, otto, hugo.