Linde
From the German language, meaning "linden tree" or "lime tree".
Name Census estimates that about 360 living Americans carry the first name Linde. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Linde today is around 54 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Linde births was 1957 (15 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Linde. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
360
~ 1 in 952,095 Americans
Peak year
1957
15 babies that year
Average age
54
years old
2012 SSA rank
#16,086
Tracked since 1944
Popularity
Linde: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Linde from the 1940s through to the 2010s, spanning 8 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1970s, with 106 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1970s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Linde by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Linde during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Lindes live
Origin
Meaning and history of Linde
The name Linde is of German origin and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the German word "Linde," which means "lime tree" or "linden tree." The linden tree has held significant symbolism in various cultures throughout history, representing qualities such as love, protection, and fertility.
In medieval Germany, the linden tree was often planted in town squares or near churches, serving as a gathering place for community events and celebrations. The name Linde may have been given to children born near these sacred trees or during festivities held under their shade.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Linde can be found in the 13th-century German epic poem "Nibelungenlied." In this literary work, Linde is mentioned as the name of a female character, suggesting the name's usage during that period.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Linde. One such figure was Linde Pruis (1905-1986), a Dutch artist known for her contributions to the Expressionist movement. Her bold use of color and unique interpretation of everyday subjects made her a prominent figure in the Dutch art scene of the 20th century.
Another famous Linde was Linde Merkelbach (1940-2018), a German actress who gained recognition for her roles in numerous television series and films. Her versatility and talent earned her several awards and accolades throughout her esteemed career.
In the world of literature, Linde Haid (1937-2015) was an Austrian author renowned for her works that explored themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. Her novel "The Woman from Munich" became a bestseller and was widely acclaimed for its poetic prose and intricate character development.
Linde Ivimey (1913-2002) was a British mathematician and computer scientist who made significant contributions to the field of computer programming during the early days of modern computing. Her work laid the foundation for many of the programming languages and techniques used today.
Lastly, Linde Pryor (1959-present) is an American entrepreneur and businesswoman who co-founded the successful software company Palo Alto Software. Her leadership and innovative approach have been instrumental in the company's growth and success, earning her recognition as a trailblazer in the tech industry.
People
Linde + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Linde as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with L
Other first names starting with L with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Linde: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Linde?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 360 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Linde going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 952,095 US residents.
Is Linde a common name?
We classify Linde as "Very Rare". It ranks above 81.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 442 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Linde most popular?
The single biggest year for Linde was 1957, when 15 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Linde is about 54 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Linde a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Linde in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.