Find out how popular the first name Lincoln has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Lincoln by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Lincoln is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 98% of people named Lincoln being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 4,842 male babies and 89 female babies born with the name Lincoln.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 89 baby girls were named Lincoln in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Lincoln

The name Lincoln has its origins in the Old English language and dates back to the 9th century. It is derived from the Old English words "linca" meaning "lake" and "coln" meaning "colony" or "settlement". The name was originally a geographical term referring to a settlement near a lake or body of water.

In the Middle Ages, Lincoln became a popular name in England, particularly in the regions around the city of Lincoln. The city itself was named after the Old English word "Lincolne" meaning "colony by the lake". The name was commonly used among the Anglo-Saxon population and grew in popularity during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Lincoln can be found in the Domesday Book, a detailed survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The book lists several individuals with the name Lincoln, indicating its widespread use at that time.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the name Lincoln. One of the most famous is Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), the 16th President of the United States, who played a pivotal role in abolishing slavery and preserving the Union during the American Civil War.

Another well-known Lincoln was Benjamin Lincoln (1733-1810), an American Revolutionary War general who served under George Washington and played a crucial role in the Siege of Yorktown, which led to the surrender of British forces and ultimately American independence.

In the realm of literature, Abraham Lincoln Gillespie (1895-1950) was an American writer and journalist known for his works on the American West and his collaborations with the famous photographer Edward Weston.

In the field of science, Abraham Lincoln Katzenstein (1923-2012) was a prominent American geologist and professor at the University of Texas at Austin, known for his contributions to the study of structural geology and tectonics.

Finally, Lincoln Christopher Alexander (1922-2012) was a Canadian architect and urban planner who played a significant role in shaping the modern cities of Canada, including the design of the National Capital Region in Ottawa.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Lincoln, a name with deep roots in Old English and a rich historical legacy.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Lincoln was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Lincoln, please contact us.

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