Linux
Primarily a boy's name with 82 recorded births. Also given to 5 girls.
Meaning & Origin
The Unix-like open-source computer operating system kernel created by Linus Torvalds in 1991.
Linux is a boy's and girl's baby name used by parents who deeply love technology and open-source software. The name honors Linus Torvalds, the Finnish-American software engineer who created the Linux operating system kernel in 1991 — one of the most impactful contributions to modern computing, now powering everything from Android phones to the world's most powerful supercomputers.
Naming a child Linux is an act of profound geek pride — a tribute to the spirit of open collaboration, technical mastery, and the belief that great things can be built and shared freely with the world.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Linux is a boy's name with a focused stretch of recorded use (2012–2024). American naming is uniquely syncretic — it borrows from dozens of traditions, invents freely, and recombines elements in ways that make strict etymological tracing difficult for many names.
Today, Linux is an active part of the American naming landscape (ranked #10466), continuing to accumulate its own cultural meaning with each new child who carries it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Linux has 11+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2012.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 42 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 40 | — |
The Story of Linux
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2023, Linux is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Linux are most likely born between 2013 and 2024.
How rare is Linux?
Only about 1 in every 514,286 babies born in 2024 was named Linux — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2012, peaked in the 2020s with 42 births that decade.
Linux by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(11 years, 2012–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | #10466 |
| 2023 | 10 | #8034 |
| 2022 | 9 | #8706 |
| 2021 | 9 | #8568 |
| 2020 | 7 | #10179 |
| 2018 | 7 | #10317 |
| 2017 | 6 | #11615 |
| 2016 | 8 | #9360 |
| 2015 | 6 | #11559 |
| 2013 | 8 | #9328 |
| 2012 | 5 | #13442 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Linux as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Linux has also been given to 5 girls in the U.S. since 2016.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Linux a boy's or girl's name?
When was Linux most popular?
How popular is the name Linux?
Can Linux be used for both boys and girls?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2012–2024