Finnley is a unique and distinctive given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname "O'Flynn," which means "descendant of Flynn." The surname O'Flynn was borne by a sept, or clan, that originated in the county of Kerry, located in southwest Ireland.
The name Finnley is thought to have evolved from the ancient Irish name "Fionnlagh," which consists of two elements: "fionn" meaning "fair" or "white," and "lagh" meaning "calm" or "speedy." Therefore, the name Finnley may be interpreted as "fair-haired one who is calm" or "speedy."
While the name Finnley has not been extensively used throughout history, it has gained popularity in recent years. It is considered a unisex name, but it is more commonly given to boys. In Ireland, the name has been used occasionally, but it is not among the top names for either gender.
The name Finnley has also appeared in popular culture, most notably as the first name of a character in the television series "Once Upon a Time." This may have contributed to its growing popularity in recent years. However, despite its increasing recognition, Finnley remains a relatively uncommon name and continues to stand out due to its unique sound and Irish heritage.
In summary, Finnley is an Irish-derived given name that means "fair-haired one who is calm" or "speedy." It has not been widely used historically but has gained popularity in recent years. The name is considered unisex, though it is more commonly given to boys, and it has appeared in popular culture, such as the television series "Once Upon a Time." Despite its growing recognition, Finnley remains a unique and distinctive choice for a first name.
The name Finnley has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past two decades in the United States. In 1999, only seven babies were named Finnley at birth. However, by 2023, that number had grown to 408 births in a single year. This represents an impressive growth of approximately 58 times the original number of births.
Between 2002 and 2012, the number of babies named Finnley more than doubled each decade, with notable spikes in popularity between 2007 and 2009, as well as from 2013 to 2014. In fact, the year 2015 marked a turning point for the name Finnley, with 323 babies being born with this name - an increase of over 18 times compared to the year 2000.
Over the past eight years (from 2015 to 2023), the popularity of the name Finnley has continued to grow steadily. From 2016 to 2022, the number of births with this name remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 423 and 470 births per year. However, in 2023, there was a slight decrease in popularity, with 408 babies being named Finnley at birth.
In total, over the past two decades (from 1999 to 2023), there have been 4946 babies born in the United States named Finnley. This demonstrates a consistent and growing trend for this unique name. It's clear that Finnley has become an increasingly popular choice among parents seeking distinctive names for their children.