Declining since 2017, #415 for girls today.
Popularity of Finley since 1880
Babies named Finley per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 86 |
| 1890s | 0 | 51 |
| 1900s | 0 | 65 |
| 1910s | 0 | 327 |
| 1920s | 0 | 369 |
| 1930s | 0 | 241 |
| 1940s | 0 | 255 |
| 1950s | 0 | 218 |
| 1960s | 0 | 121 |
| 1970s | 0 | 85 |
| 1980s | 5 | 51 |
| 1990s | 57 | 102 |
| 2000s | 2,194 | 1,535 |
| 2010s | 13,701 | 8,902 |
| 2020s | 6,951 | 6,972 |
Meaning & origin
Finley entered U.S. baby name records in 1989 and gradually climbed in popularity, reaching its peak rank in 2017. Since then, its usage has been slowly declining. The name is commonly given to both boys and girls, with the highest concentration in Montana, North Dakota, and West Virginia. Its Celtic roots give it a straightforward meaning of 'fair warrior,' which appeals to parents looking for a name with a strong yet soft sound. The trajectory since 2017 suggests it may continue to fade in the short term, but it remains a familiar choice across much of the country.
Finley is an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Fionnlagh (also spelled Fionnlagan), composed of fionn meaning 'fair, white' and laogh meaning 'warrior, hero'. The name has been used in Scotland as both a given name and surname for centuries, and its modern popularity as a given name, especially for girls, dates to the late 20th century.
Where Finley is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Finley” around the world
Where Finley lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Ireland
32
babies in 2025
New Zealand
33
babies in 2025
Quebec
10
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Finn, Lee, Fin
Sibling names for Finley
Names that share Finley's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Ainsley, Kensley, Hadley, Paisley, Brynn, Ainslee, Berkley, Campbell, Ellery, Emory, Franki, Gracelynn, Marley, Marlowe, Murphy, Paislee, Rilee, Scout, Tinley, Adleigh, Ansleigh, Ashby, Atlee, Atley, Berkeley, Brinkley, Emry, Hadleigh, Hartley, Hennessy, Journie, Kenlee, Kennedie, Kenzley, Raelee, Rainey, Rayleigh, Ridley, Ripley, Rooney, Tinsley, Amberley, Annsley, Arleigh, Asley, Berkleigh, Bexlee, Blakley, Brileigh, Brynli, Brynnley, Daley, Embry, Emersen, Emmery, Emsley, Greenlee, Halsey, Harlym, Henlee, Kinzey, Langley, Lennyn, Maevyn, Mailen, Masie, Sayler, Staley, Wrenly, Arrietty, Aslee, Bailyn, Bellany, Bentlie, Berklee, Berklie, Blayklee, Brayley, Breslin, Calais, Cambell, Conlee, Connelly, Daily, Eisley, Faelyn, Greenleigh, Greenley, Greenly, Harlowe, Joplin, Leightyn, Lennyx, Lundy, Lynley, Mattingly, Mckinsley, Meilyn, Quinley, Rayley, Rieley, Skilar, Steely, Suttyn, Waverley, Winsley, Yardley, Brinsley, Devaney, Hadli, Hollynn, Allix, Breeley, Breely, Brenlyn, Brennley, Brindley, Brixtyn, Brynlei, Cagney, Cambelle, Chazlyn, Chezney, Conleigh, Dashly, Francely, Greidy, Hadlyn, Hasley, Henslee, Keelia, Kingsleigh, Knightley, Larken, Lennan, Lochlyn, Lynnley, Maevery, Maicie, Maizley, Marsali, Mosley, Paisely, Paysley, Phinley, Quinnlee, Quinnly, Rhilee, Rinley, Riplee, Storey, Taitum, Tatym, Wakely, Zaylei
Brothers: Sullivan, Bennett, Corbin, Griffin, Holden, Briggs, Callahan, Channing, Crosby, Huxley, Manning, Adair, Auden, Colston, Huntley, Kasen, Morrison, Quinlan, Buckley, Callaway, Declyn, Duff, Farley, Hanley, Hays, Johnston, Kelso, Kipling, Lowry, Mackey, Neyland, Ramzy, Rawley, Rigby, Stirling, Taggart, Whitman, Breccan, Breylin, Bryor, Gotham, Kinney, Macallister, Macaulay, Macauley, Mccrae, Mcguire, Mclean, Rhylen, Ryer, Woodley, Greysin, Beckhem, Brookston, Broox, Carmichael, Coady, Connery, Dempsy, Ferguson, Fitzpatrick, Hooper, Huckson, Kallahan, Kinsler, Knightly, Lenoxx, Macklan, Maclean, Mccauley, Mcgregor, Mckinnon, Mclane, Moxley, Nixxon, Okley, Ridgely, Stclair
Names like Finley
Names whose popularity has moved with Finley's over the last 50 years.
