Boy New Testament Rare
Linus
net
Λίνος Linos
Linus (Greek: Λίνος, Linos) means “net”, by traditional interpretation. It appears once, at 2 Timothy 4:21. In 2025 it was given to 82 children in the United States. Use is falling away. Around 5,342 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears in the same passages as Alexander.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
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Linus
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 1 across 1 book
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- New
- Era
- Apostolic
- Hapax
- Yes occurs exactly once
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 82 | Falling |
| All-time total | 5,342 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 166 in 2017 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | CA | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 2 Timothy 4:21 |
| Cross-references | 13 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Pudens co-occurrence Appears with Pudens in 2 Timothy 4.
- Claudia co-occurrence Appears with Claudia in 2 Timothy 4.
- Eubulus co-occurrence Appears with Eubulus in 2 Timothy 4.
- Carpus co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Carpus.
- Crescens co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Crescens.
- Nero co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Nero.
- Alexander co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Alexander.
- Onesiphorus co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Onesiphorus.
Origin & meaning
1. Linos , a mythical minstrel, son of Apollo and Urania (Calliope), teacher of Orpheus, (Theocritus Poeta Bucolicus), etc.
2. as appellative, the song or lay of Linos , sung by a boy to the cithara while the vintagers are at work, Λίνον ὑπὸ καλὸν ἄειδεν sang the lovely lay of Linos in accompaniment, (Iliad by Homer):—;compare αἴλινος which is a mournful song. (ML)
Linus, a Christian in Rome to whom Paul sent greetings.
The biblical story
Linus was a Christian who lived in Rome during the time of Paul's second imprisonment (2Ti.4.21). In Paul's second letter to Timothy, he asked Timothy to greet Linus, along with other believers such as Eubulus, Pudens, and Claudia. This suggests that Linus was a member of the Christian community in Rome and likely known to both Paul and Timothy. Some early church traditions identify Linus as the second bishop of Rome, succeeding Peter, but this cannot be confirmed from the biblical text alone.
Key verses
Linus appears in 1 verse. Here are some of the most notable:
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Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
2 Timothy 4:21
Show all 1 reference
2 Timothy (1)
- 2 Timothy 4:21