Finley is a name of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic word 'Fionnlagh'. The meaning of this name is 'fair-haired hero' or 'fair warrior', which reflects the proud and strong heritage of Scotland. In Scottish history, there have been several notable figures with the name Finley, such as Finlay Macleay, a 16th-century clan chief of Clan Mackay.
The name Finley has gained popularity in recent years, particularly in English-speaking countries like Australia, Canada, and the United States. It is often used as a boy's name but can also be given to girls. Despite its Scottish roots, Finley has become a popular choice for parents who are drawn to its modern sound and strong meaning.
The name Finley is typically pronounced "FIN-lee" in English-speaking countries, with the emphasis on the second syllable. It is often shortened to 'Fin' or 'Finn', which are also popular names in their own right. In Scotland, however, it is sometimes pronounced "FEE-nlee", reflecting its Gaelic origins.
In literature and pop culture, Finley has been used as a character name in various works. For example, there was a character named Finlay 'Fin' Cullen in the popular Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. Additionally, there was a character named Finley in the movie "The Parent Trap" starring Lindsay Lohan.
Overall, Finley is a strong and distinctive name with a proud Scottish heritage. Its meaning of 'fair-haired hero' or 'fair warrior' adds to its appeal, while its modern sound makes it a popular choice for parents looking for a unique and meaningful name for their child.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe a significant increase in the popularity of the name Finley in the United States over the past few decades.
In the early 1990s, there were only a handful of babies named Finley each year, with just five births recorded in both 1989 and 1991. However, by the late 1990s, this number began to rise steadily, reaching double digits for the first time in 1997 with nine births.
The early 2000s saw a significant surge in popularity for the name Finley, with births nearly doubling from 43 in 2002 to 289 in just two years. This trend continued throughout the decade, with over 1,000 babies named Finley each year from 2007 onwards.
The peak of popularity for the name Finley occurred in 2016 and 2017, with a total of 3,631 births recorded between these two years alone. Since then, the number of Finleys born each year has remained consistently high, with over 1,000 births per year from 2014 to 2022.
Overall, there have been a total of 21,283 babies named Finley born in the United States since 1989. This data demonstrates how popular this name has become over time and highlights its current status as one of the top boys' names in America today.