A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Lyall since 1912
Babies named Lyall per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1929, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lyall's real moment was 1912.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 41 |
| 1920s | 71 |
| 1930s | 55 |
| 1940s | 38 |
| 1950s | 35 |
| 1960s | 10 |
| 1970s | 7 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 6 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 23 |
Meaning & origin
Lyall is a rare Scottish and English given name with uncertain etymological roots. It is most likely a variant of Lyle, derived from the Norman French phrase 'l'isle' meaning 'the island', but it may also have connections to the Scottish Gaelic 'liath' meaning 'grey'. First recorded in U.S. data in 1912, Lyall reached its peak rank of 9714 that same year, with a 1-in-244,011 occurrence rate. After years of infrequent use, the name has seen a resurgence in popularity since 2020, reflecting a broader trend of reviving vintage and surname-style names. Although its top states are not recorded, Lyall's quiet rise suggests it appeals to parents seeking distinctive, heritage-rich names with a Scottish flair.
Lyall is likely a variant of Lyle, which comes from the Norman French phrase 'de l'isle' meaning 'of the island'. Alternatively, it may derive from the Scottish Gaelic word 'liath', meaning 'grey', as a descriptive surname. The name has been used as a given name primarily in Scotland and England since the 19th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ly
Variants: Lyle
Sibling names for Lyall
Names that share Lyall's style, for a brother or sister.
