Linus

Linus meaning

Linus is a Christian boy's name of Greek origin.

Perhaps from linon, 'flax, linen' (Strong's)

Also used to mean: flaxen-haired

Linus is the Greek Linos. Strong's Concordance (G3044) suggests, with a "perhaps", that it comes from linon, "flax" or "linen", which is why name lists say "flax" or "flaxen-haired". Linus is named once in the New Testament, sending greetings with Pudens and Claudia at the end of Paul's second letter to Timothy (2 Timothy 4:21). Early Christian writers record him as the first bishop of Rome after the apostles Peter and Paul, so he is honoured as Pope Saint Linus. The name was later carried by the chemist Linus Pauling and the software engineer Linus Torvalds.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890), Greek Dictionary of the New Testament, G3044 · entry Linos (Λίνος) · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026

References: Strong's G3044, Linos (Bible Hub) · 2 Timothy 4:21 (Bible Hub)

Famous namesakes

• Pope Saint Linus, successor of Peter
• Linus Pauling, chemist and Nobel laureate

Spellings

Linus · Linos

Related names

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