The baby name Linus brings to mind a beloved animated character, but it’s so much more, too.
Thanks to Tara for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
LINUS in the ANCIENT WORLD
The baby name Linus likely comes from the Greek linos, meaning flax. Our word linen comes from the Latin linum, which is probably a cousin to the Greek.
If you can picture the color of flax – or traditional linen fabric – then you can imagine it as a hair color, too. So Linus might’ve first suggested a fair-haired blonde.
Speaking of firsts, the first Linus that appears in the written record is the son of Apollo. A series of unfortunate events – this is mythology, after all – leads to Linus’ tragic death. Laments or dirges – ailinos in Greek – are sung.
There’s a second story – or maybe another version of the original – that makes Linus of Thrace a talented musician who rivaled Apollo. His death, likewise, prompted dirges.
So it’s equally possible that Linus’ name suggests such sorrowful music.
In any case, the baby name Linus was used steadily in the ancient world.
There’s a Linus mentioned in the New Testament. It’s also the name of the second pope. Pope Linus succeeded Peter as Bishop of Rome around the year 67.
Odds are that the first century Saint Linus, as well as the Biblical reference, explain the name’s long history of use.
LINUS VAN PELT
If there’s one figure that instantly comes to mind for many, it’s the Great-Pumpkin-believing, Christmas-pageant-narrating Linus Van Pelt, Charlie Brown’s best friend. He first appeared in the comic strip in 1952, early in the series’ evolution.
Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz named the character after a dear friend of his own.
He’s the younger brother to Lucy, and the philosophical, thoughtful voice among the Peanuts cast.
While comic strip characters don’t necessarily make names more wearable, smart and caring Linus is quite appealing.
SILVER SCREEN
Two more fictional characters might come to mind:
- In 1954, Humphrey Bogart played Linus Larrabee opposite Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina. She’s the daughter of the chauffeur to the fabulously wealthy Larrabee family. As you can probably guess, the two fall in love. The movie was remade in 1995 with Harrison Ford as Linus and Julia Ormond as Sabrina.
- Fans of the Oceans Eleven franchise might know that Matt Damon plays Linus Caldwell, son of legendary con man Bobby Caldwell and an essential part of Danny Ocean’s crew for three movies.
That’s a pretty solid cast of leading men to answer to Linus. There’s also Lost’s Ben Linus, Jimmy Stewart’s character in How the West Was Won, and a Star Trek: Discovery character who answered to Linus.
IN REAL LIFE
Famous figures to answer to the name include:
- Born in Oregon in 1901, Linus Pauling won the Nobel Prize prize for his work in two fields – chemistry and peace.
- Helsinki-born software engineer Linus Torvalds, responsible for developing the open source Linux operating system. Torvalds’ name was chosen in honor of Pauling.
- British actor Linus Roache’s long career started in the 1980s, and has continued through today. Even if you don’t recognize the name, you might know him from television; he’s appeared in two Law & Order series, as well as Vikings and Homeland.
BY the NUMBERS
Despite these uses, the baby name Linus has never been particularly popular in the US. It appeared in the US Top 1000 a handful of times, most recently in 1940.
It’s fared better in Europe, particularly in Scandinavia, Germany, and Switzerland. But it’s not wildly popular anywhere at the moment.
As of 2023, 114 boys received the name, down from 126 in 2022, but up from 112 in 2021. That’s not rare or unknown, but it’s also not trending.
In other words? The baby name Linus isn’t waiting for a revival – it’s yet to be discovered.
THOUGHTFUL and RARE
Overall, the baby name Linus feels thoughtful and sweet, just like the Peanuts character.
But it’s rich with history and nicely familiar, appearing from the ancient world to twenty-first century pop culture at a steady pace.
That means Linus could be the perfect brother for Henry or Oliver, or a substitute for parents worried that Leo and Silas are too popular.
What do you think of the baby name Linus?
Originally published September 8, 2008, this post was revised on April 2, 2012 and again on July 11, 2024.
We named my son Linus, and I like it quite a bit. The Torvalds and Peanuts connections were positive to us, but not really the sole reason we liked the name. It just seemed to be sweet but a little serious as well, and I love that it can’t sound dated or common, but is familiar, usually easy to pronounce and spell. We lucked out that my son has very light blond hair, just like the meaning of the name. He’s not yet 2 years old, so I don’t know yet whether it’s a name he’ll be teased for. I considered that, but sometimes you have to use names you love and know that kids with unteaseable names will just be given new nicknames for teasing.
Linus is my favorite Peanuts character, so I love that pedigree.
Linus, to me, doesn’t have any specific hair color. Unlike Alice, who’s always blond, and James, who’s always dark.
But the thing that keeps it from my top ten (and kids) is because it rhymes with sinus. And, argh, someone I know always seems to have sinus problems… so that’s how the blanket morphs into a tissue in my imagination ;).
I am absolutely in love with Linus. I would my husband would go for it, but he also fears the Peanuts connection. I love the subtle punk-rock/geek sound. I think Linus would fit right in with all of the Seths, James, and Daniels running around, and stand out nicely from the greatly-feared Aiden. I will keep working on my husband…it’s definitely on my short list.
PS: I adore this website. Stumbled onto it about a week ago and I can’t get enough! I didn’t realize my obsession with baby names was completely normal. (Although, considering I don’t yet have any kids, it may not be) Thanks for your hard work in bringing us so many appealing options!
I LOVE Linus! If I didn’t already have a Lucas I would use it in a second.
Aww, thanks! Both of you. I was wondering really. Sometimes the meaning of a name strikes me and I get waffly. 🙂 Never fear, I’ll be working on combos for Linus over the next few days. Maybe I’ll pop back here for a review!
I don’t love Linus. I think it’s great in theory – fictional characters carry it really well – but I wouldn’t test that theory and name my son Linus. It’s a little too geeky, a bit too nasal sounding. Something is off there, somehow.
That said, I’ll address Lola: Why does it matter if Linus is dark haired? Would that ruin the name? I think you could pull it off. A lot of mommies like to name their children after they see the baby for the first time, but I think people grow into their names – once you think of your child as Linus, Linus he will be, whether his hair is dark or light. Go for it!
Oscar really is an appealing choice, isn’t it? I kept short-listing it should our #2 have been a boy, but Arthur was not so keen.
Lola, I doubt that anyone would find a dark Linus unusual. It doesn’t read blonde to me at all. Plus, that’s the advantage of using a little known name – no one will know unless you mention it!
Ah, Linus is a love for a whole host reasons, Pauling (and Torvalds) at the forefront. But the huge Geek I am loves the philosophising, gee whiz, blanket toting dude. yeah. He’s my favorite comic strip character, nevermind Peanuts character. I’ve told this story before but it fits here, mostly. My mother used to call my brother & I Lucy & Linus for nicknames because of the Peanuts characters we most closely resembled. Both names are on my lists for that memory.
I adore the fact that he’s familiar but never popular, it’ll never date if it never races up the charts! And I love the Pope thing. It’s a subtle link all my boys would have and I really dig that. I also like his crisp, lean, no nickname “I don’t end in ‘N’ style. Very awesome. He is racing up my lists these days. I find Linus completely lovable! My only hesitation is that my kids, while mainly blonde (Simon & Josie), have a dark haired gene that has already popped out once (Leo) and it’s more or less a dice roll as to whether another one would be blonde or dark. Anyone think a dark haired Linus would be odd? I really like him despite that, but it’s a strange thought I’d love to get opinions on. If anyone’s willing! Please? 🙂
Linus is my orange tabby. My husband and I love this name and we named the cat about a year before we got pregnant. We were a bit miffed that we gave such a great name to the cat, as we both think it’s totally usable for a kid.
So I must be content with Oscar, my current geek-chic love.
I love the name, but fear using it because of the Peanuts reference! If my Linus ever decided to use a blue blanket for security, I could never deal. The poor boy would be mocked forever! I like the idea of Linus and Otto or Linus and Oscar, but only if we decided to move across the pond. Frankly, I’m not surprised about it’s popularity in Norway, Sweden, and Germany, I believe my great aunt Olga had a brother named Linus…