Well, this (scholarly) source here lists the Greek word for flax as source for Linos/Linus, but with a "perhaps":
http://3scriptures.org/3Script/NewTst/Grk/3000-3099.htm
The lamentation explanation can be found as well, but also with a "may":
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Linus.aspx
So maybe both theories are credible, without any possibility to decide after such a long time which is really correct.
I think I remember that Oxford name dictionary. It went offline a looong time ago.
Rene www.BabyNames.chThis message was edited 7/16/2011, 8:28 AM