Names / Lin
Is Lin a first name or a last name?
Lin is a family name (last name). It is mostly a family name in Taiwan and China.
How to address someone called Lin
- Taiwan. Lin is a family name and is usually written first. Write Dear Mr. Lin or Dear Ms. Lin, or use the full name if you cannot tell which title fits.
- China. Lin is a family name and is usually written first. Write Dear Mr. Lin or Dear Ms. Lin, or use the full name if you cannot tell which title fits.
- United States. Lin is used both ways: about 79,508 people had it as a surname in the 2010 census, and 1,320 babies born between 1950 and 2017 were given it as a first name. Look at where it sits in the name and how the person signs.
Not sure which part of a full name is which? Check the full name with the country where the person is based.
Lin by country
People recorded in Wikidata who carry Lin as a family name or as a given name, by country of citizenship (2,087 in total).
| Country | As family name | As given name | Family name share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taiwan | 1,173 | 8 | 99% |
| China | 492 | 32 | 94% |
| United States | 77 | 31 | 71% |
| Hong Kong | 53 | 4 | 93% |
| Malaysia | 44 | 4 | 92% |
| Singapore | 36 | 2 | 95% |
| Canada | 24 | 4 | 86% |
| United Kingdom | 4 | 9 | 31% |
| Australia | 6 | 6 | 50% |
| Indonesia | 9 | 1 | 90% |
Wikidata covers notable people, so counts show how the name is used, not how many people carry it.
Lin in the United States
- As a surname: about 79,508 people in the 2010 census, rank 402 among US surnames.
- As a first name: 1,320 babies born between 1950 and 2017, 62% of them girls.
More on this naming tradition: How Chinese names work.