The name Palin is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic word 'Páilin', which means 'small' or 'petite'. It is a unisex given name, but it is more commonly used for males. The name was popularized by Sarah Palin, the former governor of Alaska and vice-presidential candidate in the 2008 U.S. presidential election. However, its usage predates her political career. In Scotland, Palin is often associated with Highland culture and has a strong connection to the region's history and traditions. It is also found in other parts of the United Kingdom and beyond, though it remains relatively uncommon outside of Scotland.
"The name Palin saw a significant spike in popularity between 2008 and 2009, with the number of births nearly tripling from 14 to 39. However, it seems that this trend did not continue, as the number of births fluctuated and generally decreased over the following years, reaching a low of five births per year from 2015 onwards."