"lake colony, settlement by the pool"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Lincoln
Pronunciation: [ l-IHNGK-uhn ]
Does Lincoln flow with your last name?
Presidential strength built on ancient Celtic lake origins
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British
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Strong
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"Roman colony at the lake"
Origin: Latin/Old English
Language: English
"lake colony, settlement by the pool"
Origin: Brythonic Celtic / Latin
Language: Latin/Celtic
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The Story of Lincoln
Lincoln comes from the English city of Lincoln, whose name derives from the Roman settlement 'Lindum Colonia.' 'Lindum' came from the Brythonic Celtic word 'lindo' meaning 'lake' or 'pool,' referring to the natural lake near the settlement. 'Colonia' meant a Roman colony. The name became a prestigious surname in England before achieving worldwide fame through Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, who preserved the Union during the Civil War and issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
Lincoln surged in US popularity following the TV drama 'Prison Break' (2005-2009) and Steven Spielberg's Oscar-winning film 'Lincoln' (2012). It has been in the US top 50 boys' names since the mid-2010s, benefiting from the trend toward presidential names alongside Jackson, Harrison, and Grant.
Abraham Lincoln is consistently ranked among the greatest US presidents — his Gettysburg Address and Emancipation Proclamation made his name synonymous with moral courage and the promise of equality. The Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC is one of America's most visited and revered monuments.
Historical Record
Lincoln first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 95,866 babies have been named Lincoln in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Lincoln is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #73 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Abraham Lincoln, standing 6'4", remains the tallest US President in history
- Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, one of the world's premier arts venues, was named in his honor when it opened in 1962
Lincoln in Other Languages
French
Lincoln
Chinese
林肯
Spanish
Lincoln
Japanese
リンカーン
Popularity Over Time
#73
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Lincoln
L
Lincoln Center
Other
1962
World-renowned performing arts complex in New York City, named after President Abraham Lincoln
A
Abraham Lincoln
Politician
1809
16th President of the United States, who led the nation through the Civil War, issued the Emancipation Proclamation, and...
16th President of the United States, who led the nation through the Civil War, issued the Emancipation Proclamation, and was assassinated at Ford's Theatre in 1865
L
Lincoln Burrows Fictional
Other
Wrongly convicted death-row inmate played by Dominic Purcell in Fox's 'Prison Break' (2005-2017), whose brother Michael ...
Wrongly convicted death-row inmate played by Dominic Purcell in Fox's 'Prison Break' (2005-2017), whose brother Michael Scofield breaks him out of prison
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Compare Lincoln with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #73
- Total SSA Count
- 4,567
- Cultural Origins
- American British Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Link
Linc
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Lincoln
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Lincoln is also used as a girl name, ranked #2368.
View Lincoln as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Lincoln →Compare Lincoln with...
Same Origin Names (American)
See all American names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Lincoln
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Greek Mythology origin
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Bennett
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Latin origin
"blessed"
#60 in US
Andrew
Boy
Greek origin
"manly, brave"
#68 in US
Archer
Boy
Old English origin
"one who shoots with a bow and arrow"
#115 in US
Bryson
Boy
Welsh via English origin
"son of Brice, the speckled one"
#147 in US
Hudson
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Old German origin
"heart, mind, spirit"
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Hayden
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Old English origin
"from the hay enclosure"
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Jack
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Hebrew origin
"supplanter"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lincoln
What does the name Lincoln mean?
"lake colony, settlement by the pool" (from Old English). "Roman colony at the lake" (from Latin/Old English). "lake colony, settlement by the pool" (from Brythonic Celtic / Latin). Lincoln comes from the English city of Lincoln, whose name derives from the Roman settlement 'Lindum Colonia.' 'Lindum' came from the Brythonic Celtic word 'lindo' meaning 'lake' or 'pool,' referring to the natural lake near the settlement. 'Colonia' meant a Roman colony. The name became a prestigious surname in England before achieving worldwide fame through Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, who preserved the Union during the Civil War and issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
What is the origin of the name Lincoln?
Lincoln has Old English, Latin/Old English, Brythonic Celtic / Latin, American, British, and Australian origins. In Old English, it means "lake colony, settlement by the pool". In Latin/Old English, it means "Roman colony at the lake". In Brythonic Celtic / Latin, it means "lake colony, settlement by the pool".
Is Lincoln a boy or girl name?
Lincoln is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #73. As a girl name, it is ranked #2368. Lincoln is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Lincoln?
Lincoln is pronounced l-IHNGK-uhn.
How popular is the name Lincoln?
Lincoln is currently ranked #73 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Lincoln?
Common nicknames for Lincoln include Link and Linc.
What are good middle names for Lincoln?
Popular middle name pairings include Lincoln James, Lincoln Scott, Lincoln Reid, Lincoln Cole, Lincoln Thomas, and Lincoln Blake.
What are good sibling names for Lincoln?
Names that pair well with Lincoln as siblings include Grant, Monroe, Kennedy, Emerson, Harrison, and Willa.
How many syllables does Lincoln have?
Lincoln has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Lincoln a common or rare name?
Lincoln is a very popular name, ranked #73 among boy names in the United States.
About the Name Lincoln
Lincoln is a boy name with American, British, and Australian origins . The name means "lake colony, settlement by the pool" in Old English .
Is Lincoln a boy or girl name? Lincoln is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #73 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #2,368. Lincoln is more commonly used as a boy name.
Lincoln is currently ranked #73 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Lincoln has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-IHNGK-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Lincoln include Link and Linc. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis