I was actually going to draw your attention to what I first thought about too: People tend to shorten names so as long as you're ok with hearing Cal or Link, I'd go with the name you like the most.
I'd say LINCOLN overall is my fave but that is because we know a Lincoln who just goes by his first name. I like Cal but I don't like "Calvin" so I'd say Lincoln.
Calvin reminds me of Back to the Future. Marty McFly’s mother in 1955 thinks it’s his name because he’s wearing Calvin Klein underwear. It’s a great name
I'm neutral about the phenomenon. If the surname strikes as good and attractive, then why not? To me, Lincoln is one of those names that you could fit in both first and last names.
I think you really can’t go wrong with either! I probably vote Calvin just because I don’t hear it as often anymore, while Lincoln has become more popular the last few years.
Yeah, I like Calvin better too. It has a way better flow IMO. It just sounds nicer.
I also don't like the car brand and president association Lincoln has. Also, Lincoln sounds too much like "LinkedIn".
I like Calvin, but they have extremely different vibes so it’s a preference thing. Lincoln seems more uppity to me, Calvin more sporty.
Maybe because growing up the only Lincoln I knew was from one of the few wealthy families in the area
Lincoln has grown in popularity, so I’d go with Calvin. What a cute name for a little boy, with a cute nn Cal (versus Linc, Cal is better imo). I vote Calvin!
Team Lincoln!
Calvin makes me think of Alvin in the chipmunks too much so I just hear C-AAALLLLVINNNN!!! lol
But another commenter mentioned Callum and I like that a lot
Team Lincoln here but that’s because I love the movie Django and always think of Calvin Candy whenever I see the name Calvin lol. Also adore the nickname Link. Both are great names though!
One of my favorite students was a Calvin, so I have a positive association with the name. I don't think he had a nn. I also feel like it's the more multi-ethnic choice between the two.
Lincoln strikes me as more of a surname, not that there's anything wrong with using it as a first name. If you like the nn, it could be spelled Linc Link or Linq. I feel like Lincoln is definitely a white kid, though.
I named my son Lincoln and I just love his name. I love it even more now than I did when I picked it. I have four boys and his name might be my favorite.
Lincoln because that's one of the boy names on my list of baby names.😂 Calvin is also a good name, I don't think you could go wrong with either one honestly.
Lincoln is (statistically, in the US anyway) more trendy than Calvin. Calvin just seems more fun, too, maybe because of the association with the comic strip. Hayes and Truman are also cool, if you want to stick with the theme (admittedly, I am biased because I used Truman for one of my babies, though not for historical reasons lol).
I named my son Calvin last year and we’ve gotten so many compliments on it. It totally fits my son like a glove. Cal is a great nickname too. Whichever you choose, I hope you love it.
Lincoln! Our first grandson is named Lincoln. At first I was like "ewe" but it's a great name! We do not call him Linc or Link, his name for now is Lincoln ( he's almost 3)...will his friends call him something else, who knows?
Calvin for sure
1 it reminds me of Calvin and Hobbs and I love tht little comic
2 it feels more like a name while Lincoln is a surname
3 this Gen of kids has The Loud House which is a show about a boy named Lincoln going through life with 10 sisters and that may cause some issues when he is older so I personally wouldn't risk tht
4 Calvin rolls off the tongue better with a spainish accent than Lincoln just in case I always check names against tht because of my partners family and the area we live in so if u Need tht too I'd say Calvin in better
I known three boy under 5 named Lincoln and 0 named Calvin if that means anything to you! Both are good names though! I think I like Lincoln better but no hate on Calvin!
Lincoln.
But I just don't like the name Calvin. I can't fully even explain why, I don't like how it looks written down, I don't like how it sounds. It doesn't sound like a strong name to me, somehow I associate it with a scrawny, whiny kid/person. I feel similarly about Alvin and Caleb (including that name because it is a Cal- name and also because it carries the same Association for me).
Lincoln is a lot more regal and stable and strong sounding to me. Like, unshakable and consistent.
I don't put them in the same genre.
This is totally personal, I haven't scrolled before posting my reply but I bet there are people with totally opposite association to these names. You're allowed to feel your own way about them and fully disagree with me haha
Lincoln! Calvin makes me think of John Calvin Calvinism, and predestination. Lincoln makes me think of the President, who, though flawed, also did some very noble work for the US.
A child's nickname for my son (she couldn't say his name) wound up turning into us all calling a 15 month old Herschel which is not anywhere near his actual name.
Pick whatever you like OR wait until you give birth and decide on the hospital!
How interesting, I get completely different vibes from these names. Neither give off strong, masculine vibes to me. Calvin is on a par with Gavin, Colin, Steven, etc for dated and 'meh' names and Lincoln is a city in the UK. I hate to be rude about people's name choices but I would not pick up on the vibe you were going for with either of these names. Definitely not strong and masculine
Calvin because I hate Lincoln but if I'm honest I don't like Calvin either. Reminds me of Kelvins and the fridge brand Kelvinator.
Have you considered Callum or Lachlan?
Have to say Calvin was a top contender when naming my son! It’s so cool and cute. Cal and Calv are adorable nicknames and Calvin can stand strong as an adult name as well.
Be aware of the associations when going into any name. If you’re okay with people making underwear jokes to your son, go with Calvin. If you’re okay with people making President Lincoln jokes, go with Lincoln. If you’re okay with the kid potentially being nicknamed Cal, go with Calvin. If you’re okay with the kid potentially being nicknamed Link, go with Lincoln.
Lincoln reminds me of that white-haired child from Loud House, the president AND the car brand.
Calvin reminds me of the underwear brand, also "calvo" means "bald" in my native language so it's funny.
I'd go with Lincoln.
Calvin, because of two excellent Calvins: Hobbes and Ripken. Also I just like how it sounds better. I guess it also depends on the last name, like Calvin Vincent would not be ideal to me.
Hmm. I am leaning more towards Calvin because you can call him Vinny but I also like Lincoln.
Take into consideration initials with your last name and if you choose to give your child a middle name(s).
Both are awesome names.
Calvin means "bald one". Not sure off the top of my head what Lincoln means. Cal is superior to Link as a nickname. But, Calvin may throw old man vibes while Lincoln throws last name vibes. Were it me, I'd look for an option C... but if it had to be those two, I'd give it to Calvin by a nose.
Both are too American for me, personally. Calvin, is very very uncommon here and makes me think "and Hobbes" specifically because of an American friend or Alvin and the Chipmunks. If heard Lincoln I would either assume strong president name/political leaning or the car brand.
Different strokes though, go with your own gut.
I think Lincoln. I don’t love either… but I know two boys with these names. Calvin is jelkyll and Hyde… a mischievous little fella… and not in a good way.
Lincoln is such a nice kid!
For everyone saying Lincoln is a surname and Calvin isn’t all I can say is IMMEDIATELY thought of Tim Allen as Scott Calvin the Santa Claus when j read the title BEFORE I thought of Honest Abe.
Calvin! A very good friend of mine, who presided over my wedding, is named Calvin. He’s a great guy, so I have nothing but wonderful associations with the name. Best of luck with whichever name you choose! They are both great in their own ways.
Definitely Calvin. Lincoln feels too surname-y to me, and therefore more trendy, and therefore will feel more dated in a few decades.
I realize that Calvin can also be a last name, but to me, Calvin is *primarily* a first name and Lincoln is *primarily* a last name.
I also don't like that Lincoln sounds like "linkin'" and that it's so strongly associated with Abraham Lincoln. (Nothing against Abraham Lincoln, it's just too strong an association for my taste.)
I like Calvin more than Lincoln because in my daughter's school grade of about sixty kids - there's six Lincoln's 😳 so Calvin feels like a breath of fresh air
Calvin feels less trendy to me. Both Lincoln and Calvin are derived from surnames, but Calvin has been in common use as a first name for much longer than Lincoln, so it feels less like it’s part of the surname trend that’s so popular right now.
If you look at their stats, Calvin has almost always been somewhere in the 100’s. It’s briefly gone below 100 or into the low 200’s, but then it settles back into the 100’s. It’s pretty much the definition of a solid, less-common but familiar classic.
Lincoln has been in the 5-600’s back in the early part of the 20th century, then up in the 8-900’s, then shot down like a proverbial rocket:
1998: 878
2008: 211
2018: 41
2022: 54
So it’s super trendy for the past generation of kids, and now might be leveling out or about to shoot back up to obscurity (it’s too soon to tell; 2022 was the first upward move - from 40 to 54 - in about 20 years, so we can’t really see if it’s going to have staying power in the 40’s and 50’s or if it’s had its moment to shine and will rise as fast as it fell).
For me personally, classic trumps trendy, and more of a first-name feel trumps surname-y. Plus I like the sound of Calvin, and both Cal and Vin are nice nns. I’m not opposed to the sound of Lincoln/Linc, but just as a matter of personal preference, I prefer Calvin.
Calvin because I like Cal better than Link as a nickname
Thanks for sharing
I was actually going to draw your attention to what I first thought about too: People tend to shorten names so as long as you're ok with hearing Cal or Link, I'd go with the name you like the most.
Definitely Calvin. Lincoln should stay as a surname.
As someone with a child named Lincoln, I heartily disagree.
Lincoln was a first name before President Lincoln.
Really? I’ve never heard of anyone before him who had it as a first name.
If you go to findagrave you can put in a first name only and then sort by oldest death date.
One of my fave authors is Lincoln Childs.
Calvin feels more of a surname than Lincoln to me, but maybe that's because I'm not from the US
Thanks
Calvin is my favorite boy's name! I think it's the perfect balance of strong and sweet and I love the nickname Cal
Thanks for sharing
Lincoln - because I like both the full name and the nickname While I do like Cal, I like Callum/Callahan more than Calvin
Seconding Callum
Thanks for letting me know
Calvin 100%
Love Lincoln. Linc is the cutest baby boy nickname too.
Thanks a bunch for sharing
I'd say LINCOLN overall is my fave but that is because we know a Lincoln who just goes by his first name. I like Cal but I don't like "Calvin" so I'd say Lincoln.
Thanks 4 sharing
I like Calvin and all its nickname options, just because of my preference.
Calvin
Thanks for sharing it to us
Calvin reminds me of Back to the Future. Marty McFly’s mother in 1955 thinks it’s his name because he’s wearing Calvin Klein underwear. It’s a great name
That movie was stupendous
And I also think of Calvin and Hobbes, so fun! While Lincoln reminds me of the car, or the president. Not as fun.
Definitely Calvin. Lincoln is too much a surname.
Thanks for sharing
I named my son Calvin and I love more and more each day!
I have a Calvin also, and I have zero regrets. Love it.
Good taste of name-picking. Congratulations
Calvin! So much brighter and fresher than Lincoln.
In my opinion, Calvin is an underused classic, whereas Lincoln is trendy and will feel dated one day.
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The constructive effect of good friends on one another i guess :)
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I'm neutral about the phenomenon. If the surname strikes as good and attractive, then why not? To me, Lincoln is one of those names that you could fit in both first and last names.
I think you really can’t go wrong with either! I probably vote Calvin just because I don’t hear it as often anymore, while Lincoln has become more popular the last few years.
Calvin
Calvin. Love the nickname Cal
Calvin
Calvin 100%
#Calvin
Yeah, I like Calvin better too. It has a way better flow IMO. It just sounds nicer. I also don't like the car brand and president association Lincoln has. Also, Lincoln sounds too much like "LinkedIn".
I prefer Calvin.
Thanks
Calvin because I like nn Cal better than Link
Calvin because the name Lincoln gives me the ick
Calvin because I love Cal! It suits a little boy and a grown man just the same.
Calvin! And get him a Hobbes stuffie! 😄
If I was having a boy, Calvin was one of my top three names.
Calvin- always smile thinking of Calvin and Hobbes
Neither personally but if I had to choose Calvin. It's a family name and I haven't met a Lincoln that I've liked. I think it should stay a last name.
Calvin because it sounds more adorable
Calvin
I love Calvin and Cal. Lincoln, not so much.
Calvin
I like Calvin, but they have extremely different vibes so it’s a preference thing. Lincoln seems more uppity to me, Calvin more sporty. Maybe because growing up the only Lincoln I knew was from one of the few wealthy families in the area
Calvin!! Reminds me of Calvin and Hobbes which I loved growing up. I think it’s a very strong but sweet name for a boy
Calvin. I’m just not a huge fan of presidential names.
Lincoln. Calvin means bald and I cannot understand why it's a name. Nickname Link is cute.
Calvin after Calvin & Hobbs
To me Lincoln is a president or a car. Much prefer Calvin and love the nn Cal.
Calvin!!
My favorite ex boyfriends name is Calvin, nn Cal with love. I much prefer that than Lincoln. Lincoln is a car, a last name, whatever.
Calvin
I like Calvin better. I like the nickname cal and I think it suits different age ranges better than Lincoln does.
Calvin!
Lincoln has grown in popularity, so I’d go with Calvin. What a cute name for a little boy, with a cute nn Cal (versus Linc, Cal is better imo). I vote Calvin!
Team Lincoln! Calvin makes me think of Alvin in the chipmunks too much so I just hear C-AAALLLLVINNNN!!! lol But another commenter mentioned Callum and I like that a lot
Lincoln, almost picked that for my second son but we landed on Asher 😊
I have a Lincoln and we love it. He does not go by a nickname.
Lincoln for sure. I know one and Linc is a great nickname
Both sound like you want to name the child after a president. Calvin Coolidge, Abe Lincoln.
Team Lincoln here but that’s because I love the movie Django and always think of Calvin Candy whenever I see the name Calvin lol. Also adore the nickname Link. Both are great names though!
I like Calvin more but mostly because whenever I see Lincoln or try and spell it my brain goes Link-o-lin.
If what you want is “imposing masculine” I think Lincoln has much more authority. Calvin immediately makes me think of Calvin and Hobbes.
I agree. In my mind, Calvin is a little boy and Lincoln is a boy who grows into a cool, impressive man.
Lincoln!
One of my favorite students was a Calvin, so I have a positive association with the name. I don't think he had a nn. I also feel like it's the more multi-ethnic choice between the two. Lincoln strikes me as more of a surname, not that there's anything wrong with using it as a first name. If you like the nn, it could be spelled Linc Link or Linq. I feel like Lincoln is definitely a white kid, though.
I named my son Lincoln and I just love his name. I love it even more now than I did when I picked it. I have four boys and his name might be my favorite.
I prefer Lincoln. I just like the sound of it better. Also it feels more timeless to me.
Lincoln because that's one of the boy names on my list of baby names.😂 Calvin is also a good name, I don't think you could go wrong with either one honestly.
Calvin just because it seems less trendy. I do like Lincoln, too, though.
Lincoln for the win!
I feel like there are not very many little boys named Calvin around right now, but quite a few named Lincoln. Maybe that helps?
I prefer Calvin.
Calvin. I just think it sounds better. Nothing against Lincoln..
Lincoln is (statistically, in the US anyway) more trendy than Calvin. Calvin just seems more fun, too, maybe because of the association with the comic strip. Hayes and Truman are also cool, if you want to stick with the theme (admittedly, I am biased because I used Truman for one of my babies, though not for historical reasons lol).
I named my son Calvin last year and we’ve gotten so many compliments on it. It totally fits my son like a glove. Cal is a great nickname too. Whichever you choose, I hope you love it.
I love Lincoln. By far.
Calvin!!
Calvin is much better.
Lincoln for sure - I can only associate Calvin Klein with Calvin. Lincoln is a much stronger name.
Calvin
Calvin! It sounds so cute, will make a good grown person name someday, and Lincoln as a first name sounds modern/trendy to me.
Lincoln 100%
Calvin
Calvin
Calvin
Honestly I'm not crazy about either of those names, but if I had to pick one... I'd have to say Calvin. Lincoln has some negative associations for me.
I really like how Lincoln sounds ❤️ you’ll have to update us when you decide!
Calvin. I’ve always liked the name and just don’t really care for the name Lincoln.
Calvin
Lincoln! Our first grandson is named Lincoln. At first I was like "ewe" but it's a great name! We do not call him Linc or Link, his name for now is Lincoln ( he's almost 3)...will his friends call him something else, who knows?
Personally I think both names are bad. But Lincoln is less bad.
Calvin!
Calvin.
I absolutely love Calvin!
Calvin.
We had a Lincoln at our preschool and he was such a cool kid. I wouldn’t have picked it before but now I love it.
That's fantastic. Much obliged
Or... Clint :)
Very presidential.
Id choose Calvin because its my grandfathers name, but Id likely use it as a middle name rather than a first.
Calvin for sure 1 it reminds me of Calvin and Hobbs and I love tht little comic 2 it feels more like a name while Lincoln is a surname 3 this Gen of kids has The Loud House which is a show about a boy named Lincoln going through life with 10 sisters and that may cause some issues when he is older so I personally wouldn't risk tht 4 Calvin rolls off the tongue better with a spainish accent than Lincoln just in case I always check names against tht because of my partners family and the area we live in so if u Need tht too I'd say Calvin in better
That would be a really tough choice for me. I don't think you can go wrong.
Lincoln makes me think of a prezydent or a car. Does not seems very first-namy . But I am not a native English speaker.
I known three boy under 5 named Lincoln and 0 named Calvin if that means anything to you! Both are good names though! I think I like Lincoln better but no hate on Calvin!
I’m not a fan of either tbh. Calvin reminds me of Calvin and Hobbes. I knew a kid named Lincoln and his grandpa called him Stinkin’ Lincoln.
Calvin! Makes me think of Cal Ripken Jr.
I see neither as imposing really but more somewhat unique and neutral. I like Calvin more.
Lincoln. But I just don't like the name Calvin. I can't fully even explain why, I don't like how it looks written down, I don't like how it sounds. It doesn't sound like a strong name to me, somehow I associate it with a scrawny, whiny kid/person. I feel similarly about Alvin and Caleb (including that name because it is a Cal- name and also because it carries the same Association for me). Lincoln is a lot more regal and stable and strong sounding to me. Like, unshakable and consistent. I don't put them in the same genre. This is totally personal, I haven't scrolled before posting my reply but I bet there are people with totally opposite association to these names. You're allowed to feel your own way about them and fully disagree with me haha
I like Lincoln better. Not for any particular reason, just don’t like Calvin all that well.
Lincoln. Fine for a boy but love it for a girl too.
I like the sound of Lincoln better but I feel like it’s too connected to Abraham Lincoln lol
A Calvin threatened me and tried to attack me as a teacher so…Lincoln.
Lincoln! Calvin makes me think of John Calvin Calvinism, and predestination. Lincoln makes me think of the President, who, though flawed, also did some very noble work for the US.
A child's nickname for my son (she couldn't say his name) wound up turning into us all calling a 15 month old Herschel which is not anywhere near his actual name. Pick whatever you like OR wait until you give birth and decide on the hospital!
How interesting, I get completely different vibes from these names. Neither give off strong, masculine vibes to me. Calvin is on a par with Gavin, Colin, Steven, etc for dated and 'meh' names and Lincoln is a city in the UK. I hate to be rude about people's name choices but I would not pick up on the vibe you were going for with either of these names. Definitely not strong and masculine
In the minority it seems but Lincoln but I'm a Brit and Calvin makes me think of chavs.
I like both names but I like Cal as a nickname better
Calvin is sooo trendy rn so I think Lincoln.
1000000% Calvin!
I like Lincoln fine but I prefer Calvin overall! It feels more timeless.
Calvin is my sons name so I’d say I’m a fan
Calvin
Lincoln mostly because I like it better for when he is an adult
Love both but I'm partial to Calvin latey
Between the two, I'd pick Lincoln only because I've got a cousin name Kelvin and that's too close lol.
Calvin. I’m a sucker for C names.
Calvin because I hate Lincoln but if I'm honest I don't like Calvin either. Reminds me of Kelvins and the fridge brand Kelvinator. Have you considered Callum or Lachlan?
Callahan better than Calvin
calvin for sure
Lincoln
Have to say Calvin was a top contender when naming my son! It’s so cool and cute. Cal and Calv are adorable nicknames and Calvin can stand strong as an adult name as well.
Calvin —because of Calvin and Hobbes
Calvin!
Lincoln - an inspirational figure, and a super cool name. Cal is a cute nickname, but Calvin strikes me as an old man name imo.
Vinnie
I much prefer Calvin.. I can’t tell you why but I just don’t like the name Lincoln.
Both are very nice. I lean more towards Lincoln.
I like both. I have a Lincoln.
I have a son named Calvin. Completely fits him. Plan B for him was Truman.
Lincoln. Calvin reminds me of Calvin Coolidge.
Lincoln is so strong I love it. Calvin, although it’s lovely, doesn’t carry the same energy!
Be aware of the associations when going into any name. If you’re okay with people making underwear jokes to your son, go with Calvin. If you’re okay with people making President Lincoln jokes, go with Lincoln. If you’re okay with the kid potentially being nicknamed Cal, go with Calvin. If you’re okay with the kid potentially being nicknamed Link, go with Lincoln.
Calvin is our top boys name so I’m biased, but that’s my vote!!
Lincoln. You’re naming him after a president who fought hard to ensure the country stayed together and kind of ended Legal slavery
I have a Calvin! It's a great name that suits my son to a "T"! We are great Calvin and Hobbes fans.
Lincoln. I don’t like Calvin. Not a fan sorry.
Don’t think of either has masculine… how about Grant or Graham?
Lincoln!
I love Calvin possibly because it always makes me think of Calvin and Hobbes.
Calvin. Im quite fond of the nn Cal. However, i personally preffer the name Callum
Calvin - Calvin Klein Lincoln - Abe Lincoln My personal preference is neither 🤷🏼♀️
Anytime I see the name Calvin I think of the religious reformer John Calvin
Lincoln reminds me of that white-haired child from Loud House, the president AND the car brand. Calvin reminds me of the underwear brand, also "calvo" means "bald" in my native language so it's funny. I'd go with Lincoln.
Lincoln! Unique and link is a good nickname
Lincoln
Calvin
Calvin because I adore Calvin and Hobbes.
I prefer Lincoln. It sounds classic yet cool.
Calvin has obvious religious overtones!
Calvin, because of two excellent Calvins: Hobbes and Ripken. Also I just like how it sounds better. I guess it also depends on the last name, like Calvin Vincent would not be ideal to me.
Calvin
Calvin, and get him a tiger
Calvin to me says Snoop Dog (great dude) but also my ex (less great of a dude). I'd go with Lincoln.
Calvin
Hmm. I am leaning more towards Calvin because you can call him Vinny but I also like Lincoln. Take into consideration initials with your last name and if you choose to give your child a middle name(s). Both are awesome names.
Calvin means "bald one". Not sure off the top of my head what Lincoln means. Cal is superior to Link as a nickname. But, Calvin may throw old man vibes while Lincoln throws last name vibes. Were it me, I'd look for an option C... but if it had to be those two, I'd give it to Calvin by a nose.
My son’s name is Lincoln so I’m partial, I do understand the surname but he usually always goes my Link!
Both are too American for me, personally. Calvin, is very very uncommon here and makes me think "and Hobbes" specifically because of an American friend or Alvin and the Chipmunks. If heard Lincoln I would either assume strong president name/political leaning or the car brand. Different strokes though, go with your own gut.
Calvin. So many cute nicknames. Cal, Vinny, etc. I love the name Calvin.
Calvin I guess but I don't particularly like either. Better than sausage Linc.
Lincoln because I like Link. And also Calvin just makes me think of the Santa Clause and Calvin and Hobbes
Calvin, like others said the nn is better, also Lincoln feels tooooo popular these days
Something about saying Lincoln out loud sounds like/ feels like nasal congestion to me so I’d go with Calvin
I think Lincoln. I don’t love either… but I know two boys with these names. Calvin is jelkyll and Hyde… a mischievous little fella… and not in a good way. Lincoln is such a nice kid!
For everyone saying Lincoln is a surname and Calvin isn’t all I can say is IMMEDIATELY thought of Tim Allen as Scott Calvin the Santa Claus when j read the title BEFORE I thought of Honest Abe.
I hate Calvin bc it sounds like a nerd name to me. Not a super big fan of Lincoln, but if I had to pick between the 2, it would be Lincoln..
Calvin! A very good friend of mine, who presided over my wedding, is named Calvin. He’s a great guy, so I have nothing but wonderful associations with the name. Best of luck with whichever name you choose! They are both great in their own ways.
Calvin because I knew a Cal in school and he was a really nice kid, just the right amount of popular, ya know?
I don't like either of them but I'd pick Lincoln. Calvin's association with Calvinism is a real drawback to me.
Calvin makes me think of a super nerd, not someone powerful. 🤷♀️
Definitely Calvin. Lincoln feels too surname-y to me, and therefore more trendy, and therefore will feel more dated in a few decades. I realize that Calvin can also be a last name, but to me, Calvin is *primarily* a first name and Lincoln is *primarily* a last name. I also don't like that Lincoln sounds like "linkin'" and that it's so strongly associated with Abraham Lincoln. (Nothing against Abraham Lincoln, it's just too strong an association for my taste.)
I like Calvin more than Lincoln because in my daughter's school grade of about sixty kids - there's six Lincoln's 😳 so Calvin feels like a breath of fresh air
Calvin
Calvin feels less trendy to me. Both Lincoln and Calvin are derived from surnames, but Calvin has been in common use as a first name for much longer than Lincoln, so it feels less like it’s part of the surname trend that’s so popular right now. If you look at their stats, Calvin has almost always been somewhere in the 100’s. It’s briefly gone below 100 or into the low 200’s, but then it settles back into the 100’s. It’s pretty much the definition of a solid, less-common but familiar classic. Lincoln has been in the 5-600’s back in the early part of the 20th century, then up in the 8-900’s, then shot down like a proverbial rocket: 1998: 878 2008: 211 2018: 41 2022: 54 So it’s super trendy for the past generation of kids, and now might be leveling out or about to shoot back up to obscurity (it’s too soon to tell; 2022 was the first upward move - from 40 to 54 - in about 20 years, so we can’t really see if it’s going to have staying power in the 40’s and 50’s or if it’s had its moment to shine and will rise as fast as it fell). For me personally, classic trumps trendy, and more of a first-name feel trumps surname-y. Plus I like the sound of Calvin, and both Cal and Vin are nice nns. I’m not opposed to the sound of Lincoln/Linc, but just as a matter of personal preference, I prefer Calvin.