Finley Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Finley is of Scottish Gaelic origin, meaning 'fair warrior'. It evolved from the name Fionnlagh and has seen various forms throughout history. It is associated with traits of strength and nobility, and has no biblical relevance. The name gained popularity in the 19th century and remains a trendy choice today.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Finley"
Pronunciation
/ˈfɪnli/
Origin
Scottish Gaelic
Etymology
The name Finley derives from the Scottish Gaelic name 'Fionnlagh', which is composed of the elements 'fionn', meaning 'fair' or 'white', and 'laoch', meaning 'warrior' or 'hero'.
Meaning
fair warrior
Language Evolution
Fionnlagh, Fingal, Finlay
Historical Usage
Finley gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly in Scotland and Ireland, and has since spread to other English-speaking countries.
Variants & Derivatives
Finlay, Findlay, Finn
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Finley is perceived as a trendy and modern name, often associated with strength and nobility.
Famous People
Finley Quaye, Finley McMorris, Finley Robinson
📊 Finley Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Finley Name Visualizations
✨ Finley Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 3,162 peak births in 2017
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Montana
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 10 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Finley" - Complete Guide (16 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Finley". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 16 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Finley" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Finley"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Finley"
"Finley" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1061st of 7545 | 691 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1335th of 6773 | 478 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1792nd of 7552 | 361 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3316th of 10718 | 152 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 6202nd of 16616 | 99 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 956th of 24088 | 2,985 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 308th of 23106 | 13,449 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 18582nd of 27321 | 22 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 844th of 35406 | 4,807 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 213th of 30306 | 17,321 |
Regional Popularity of "Finley" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
83.05% 1176th/1416 |
- |
40.87% 967th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
45.64% 1074th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
56.36% 1608th/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
16.94% 776th/4582 |
21.44% 1107th/5164 |
14.65% 1071st/7313 |
10.83% 808th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
5.95% 237th/3984 |
6.20% 278th/4487 |
5.13% 350th/6822 |
5.48% 344th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Finley" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
14.60% 669th/4582 |
19.75% 1020th/5164 |
10.80% 790th/7313 |
11.64% 869th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
3.77% 150th/3984 |
6.93% 311th/4487 |
3.08% 210th/6822 |
3.89% 244th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Finley"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Finley" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Finley" in the United States
The name Finley is most popular in Montana, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been consistently rising. From 2020-2022, Finley has been too falling for male in MidWest, falling for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for male in South, falling for female in South, too falling for male in West, falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been too falling for male in MidWest, too falling for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for male in South, too falling for female in South, stalled for male in West, too falling for female in West. Across generations, 'Finley' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1061st out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1335th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1792nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3316th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 6202nd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 956th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 308th out of 23106 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 18582nd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 844th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 213th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Finley' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.