Linnéa is a female given name of Swedish origin.

Linnéa
The twinflower Linnaea borealis became a personal emblem for Linnaeus.
PronunciationEnglish: /lɪˈnə/ lin-AY
Swedish: [lɪˈnêːa]
Genderfemale
Language(s)Swedish
Other gender
MasculineLinnaeus, Linné
Origin
Derivationafter botanist Carl Linnaeus
Meaning'linden tree' or 'twinflower'
Other names
Alternative spellingLinnea, Lenae, Linea, Nea, Neea, Linna, Linnae, Linnaea, Lynae, Lynea, Lynnae, Lynnea, Lennea, Lenaya

It has two derivations, both of which are linked to the famous 18th-century Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus, who was ennobled as Carl von Linné later in life. Primarily, people have named their children in his honor;[1] Linnaeus and Linné have been used as given names, usually for boys, and simple modification makes the name gender female. Secondarily, people have named their children after the twinflower Linnaea,[2] which was itself named to honor Linnaeus. Linnaeus' family name in turn is derived from the Swedish word lind, indicating the linden (lime tree).[3]

Linnéa or Linnea was the seventh most popular given name for girls born in Sweden in 2008 and was the most popular name for girls born in 2008 in Norway. In 2013, it ranked 17 in Sweden and 7 in Norway.[4][5]

Some notable people with the name:

References

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  1. ^ Hanks, Patrick; Hardcastle, Kate; Hodges, Flavia (2007). A Dictionary of First Names. Oxford University Press, USA. ISBN 978-0198610601.
  2. ^ Wallace, Carol (2004). The Greatest Baby Name Book Ever Rev Ed. Avon. ISBN 978-0060566494.
  3. ^ "Linnæa -- origin and meaning". nordicnames.de. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  4. ^ "Swedish Name Statistics 2013". nordicnames.de. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  5. ^ "Norwegian Name Statistics 2013". nordicnames.de. Retrieved 12 February 2014.