Hamlin is an uncommon yet distinctive given name of English origin. It is derived from an Old English word, "hamm" meaning enclosure or homestead, and the suffix "-lin", which denotes a settlement or estate. Thus, Hamlin means 'settlement by the enclosure'. This name gained prominence through the legend of Till Eulenspiegel, a popular folk hero in Germany and the Low Countries, who is sometimes referred to as "Hamelin Piper" due to his alleged role in leading children away from their homes, as told in the Pied Piper of Hamelin tale. However, it is important to note that the name is not directly connected to this legend nor to the town of Hamelin itself. Today, Hamlin remains a rare choice for a given name, perhaps partly due to its association with the darker aspects of the Pied Piper folklore.
The name Hamlin saw a significant decrease in popularity over time, with the highest number of births occurring in 1916 and the lowest in 1957.