Girl · 213th of 30,306
Finley
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
40,510
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2017
Peak Popularity Year
3,162
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Finley stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
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 Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
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
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Consistently Rising
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
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
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 16 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
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
Full popularity table across American generations 10 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |