What does the name Linnea mean?

Answer 1

Answer

It means "lime tree" in Swedish. I should know, it's my name.

There is also a Linnea flower.

Answer

Linnea does not mean lime tree in Swedish, I should know cause I'm Swedish and my name is Linnea. Lime tree is simply Limeträd in Swedish. I've seen this on a lot of sites, and I don't know were you all got it from.

Linnea comes from the old family name Linne, and Carl von Linne was a famous botanist who classified a lot of plants and animals. He named his favorite flower Linnea.

The name really has no meaning in itself.

Answer

I got the information from baby name books and baby name websites. Every baby name book or website I've ever checked has said that "Linnea" means "lime tree."

I'm not saying you're wrong; I'm just explaining where people are getting the information.

Answer

Yes, I've seen that too. Kind of funny actually, it's obviously a widely spread misunderstanding. However, the only possible reason that I can come up with is that the family name Linné itself orgins from a Linden Tree in the family home backyard. This was a few centuries ago and not even Linné means anything today.

I don't know how lime tree got into the picture, but I can assure you that that's probably the last thing that a Swede would think of hearing the name.

The flower is lovely by the way, growing in the deep dark Nordic forest. Quite special to find one.

Answer

Yeah, it's weird: you would think that if you got the same answer from 4 different sources, it would have to be correct. I guess I will have to change my User name!

I've only seen pictures of Linnea flowers, unfortunately, but they do seem very lovely.

ANSWER

Same first answerer updating: been thinking about this for a long time, and I must respectfully say I think the second answerer had it wrong.

Yes, in today's Swedish, the actual translation for, "lime tree," may be, "limetrad."

However, this does not necessarily mean that Linnea doesn't mean, "lime tree."

Example: the names William or Wilhelmina mean, "resolute protector," or, "determined guardian" in English. But that's not what they literally mean. You would never say, "My husband is a william to our family." No. You'd say, "My husband is a resolute protector of our family," or, "My husband is a determined guardian of our family."

Point being, just because, "lime tree" = "limetrad" now, in modern Swedish, doesn't mean that's what it always meant. Just because nowadays Swedish people will say, "Hey, look at that limetrad," not, "Hey, look at that linnea," doesn't mean Linnea doesn't mean lime tree.

Fact is, any baby name book you check will tell you that Linnea means lime tree. ANY ONE. Just like how any baby name book will tell you that William or Wilhelmina are English for, "resolute protector" or "determined guardian."

Answer 2

The name Linnea is of Swedish origin and is derived from the Linnaea flower, also known as the twinflower. It often symbolizes beauty, grace, and delicacy.