Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Lincoln

Lincoln is the transferred use of an old English surname with Celtic/Welsh etymological roots. The origin of the surname comes from a place name, specifically the city of Lincoln, county town of Lincolnshire. The ancient city of Lincoln was founded by the Celtic people around the 1st century B.C. and called Lindon (a modern adaption of an old Celtic Brythonic word from the more modern Welsh “llyn” meaning ‘lake, pool’). The settlement was built around and named after the Brayford Pool, a deep section of the River Witham located in the center of the city. When the Romans occupied England in the 1st century A.D. they Latinized the name of Lindon to “Lindum Colonia” or ‘Lake Colony.’ This eventually morphed into Lincoln. As the need for surnames became important in England (for purposes of taxation) after the Norman Conquest (1066), Lincoln arose as an indentifying last name (derived from the location name) for people from this area. As a given name, Lincoln was popularized in the United States in homage to the 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, who led the Union to victory in the Civil War and enforced the emancipation of the slaves.

All About the Baby Name – Lincoln

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME LINCOLN

The number Seven personality is deeply mystical and highly in tune with their spirituality. They operate on a different wavelength than the average joe. Spending time alone comes easily to Sevens, as it gives them time to contemplate philosophical, religious and spiritual ideas in an effort to find "real truth".  Sevens are wise, but often exude mystery as if they are tapped into something the rest of us don't understand. They love the outdoors and are fed by nature. Sevens are constantly seeking to understand human nature, our place in the universe, and the mystery of life in general. This makes them quite artistic and poetic, but they are also keen observers with high intellect - so they are equally scientific-minded. Sevens are charitable and care deeply about the human condition.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME LINCOLN

The name Lincoln as a male given name has been on the U.S. naming charts constantly since the 19th century. Clearly, the name was popularized by President Abraham Lincoln, arguably the greatest President in the history of our country. Similar to the names Jackson, Jefferson and Harrison, Lincoln is another example of using U.S. presidential last names as first names. The “Last-Names-First” trend is extremely popular in America today; however, names like Lincoln, Jefferson and Jackson have predated the current fashions of the day (like the popular last names Mason, Logan, or Connor), and are considered much more historically significant and traditional. They are also more likely to withstand the changing fashions of the day. While the name Lincoln is a well-established male given name in America, the name’s popularity and usage has always been low to moderate. In fact, Lincoln is experiencing the height of his popularity right now. As recently ago as 1989, Lincoln came dangerously close to falling off the charts altogether. Today, the name is on the Top 200 list of most commonly used boy names. It is ranked very high in Utah (#28 in 2010) and South Dakota (the location of Mount Rushmore where the people of that state are constantly reminded of our great President). This doesn’t exactly make Lincoln a wildly popular choice, but it has enjoyed a resurrection of sorts. Lincoln is an American classic. We can’t think of a United States citizen who wouldn’t give this name a resounding thumbs-up!

Quick Facts

ON LINCOLN

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

Celtic

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

95

PRONUNCIATION:

LING-ken

SIMPLE MEANING:

Lake settlement

Characteristics

OF LINCOLN

Mystical

Wise

Eccentric

Intuitive

Imaginative

Philosophical

Solitary

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Lincoln

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME LINCOLN

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Lincoln

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME LINCOLN

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Lincoln


Popular Songs

ON LINCOLN

Mr. Lincoln
a song by Hank Williams Jr.

Lincoln Town
a song by John Hiatt

Lincoln Highway Dub
a song by Sublime

Lincoln Freed Me Today (The Slave)
a song by Joan Baez

Lincoln Avenue
a song by Train

Famous People

NAMED LINCOLN

Lincoln (Brazilian soccer player)

Children of Famous People

NAMED LINCOLN

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Lincoln

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME LINCOLN

Mary Todd Lincoln was the wife of perhaps the most beloved president in American history, Abraham Lincoln, and served as first lady of the land from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. He was beloved – she was not. Poor Mary’s reputation has suffered as much since her death as before. Maligned as a vain clotheshorse, a spendthrift, and a neurotically selfish woman, she is often depicted as a scourge of the sainted Abe, responsible for just about every ill he suffered short of the assassination. The truth, of course, lies closer to a mundane, albeit crushing, reality. Mary Todd was born into a rich Kentucky family and was educated accordingly. Her marriage to Lincoln was seen by her family as a social faux-pas, but she stubbornly stood by him and relinquished her strong Southern roots in favor of supporting him through the Civil War. As a mother, she had the unenviable fate of outliving three of her four sons. Son “Eddie” died at the age of four of tuberculosis; “Willie” died of typhoid fever at the age of twelve; “Tad” died (probably of pneumonia) at the age of eighteen. Only Robert outlived her, and he had her declared incompetent and confined to a mental institution. As a wife, she suffered the trauma of having her husband violently killed right beside her. As a woman in general, she was a victim of various ailments, including depression and the dreaded migraine headaches that afflicted her for years. She even attempted suicide at one point. Mary spent her final years in the home of her sister, as her health grew steadily worse. She died at age sixty-three.

This American icon truly transcended the Presidency. Known as "The Great Emancipator" Lincoln basically preserved and restored our Union and finally put an end to this nation's greatest shame: slavery. Magnetic and powerful, Lincoln was either loved or hated - yet "Honest Abe" stood fast to his ideals and rose to the occasion. He was ambitious, decisive, humorous, and even vain. A man obsessed with military strategy and in love with the game of politics, he was a brilliant public speaker. Even after the South was defeated in the Civil War, Lincoln showed no malice or signs of vindictiveness. His second term would have focused on a nation that needed to heal itself, but his life was cut short on April 14, 1865 when Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth assassinated the greatest President who ever lived. Apropos, Abraham is a Hebrew name meaning "Father of a multitude (of nations)". Lincoln, which is also a widely used male name in America in homage to this great man, is a surname of Celtic origin meaning "lake settlement". A woman of history in her own right, the very vivacious and impulsive Mary Todd Lincoln was Abe's First Lady.

This American icon truly transcended the Presidency. Known as "The Great Emancipator" Lincoln basically preserved and restored our Union and finally put an end to this nation's greatest shame: slavery. Magnetic and powerful, Lincoln was either loved or hated - yet "Honest Abe" stood fast to his ideals and rose to the occasion. He was ambitious, decisive, humorous, and even vain. A man obsessed with military strategy and in love with the game of politics, he was a brilliant public speaker. Even after the South was defeated in the Civil War, Lincoln showed no malice or signs of vindictiveness. His second term would have focused on a nation that needed to heal itself, but his life was cut short on April 14, 1865 when Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth assassinated the greatest President who ever lived. Apropos, Abraham is a Hebrew name meaning "Father of a multitude (of nations)". Lincoln, which is also a widely used male name in America in homage to this great man, is a surname of Celtic origin meaning "lake settlement". A woman of history in her own right, the very vivacious and impulsive Mary Todd Lincoln was Abe's First Lady.