Declining since 2019, #1,109 for girls today.
Popularity of Tinsley since 1982
Babies named Tinsley per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 31 |
| 1990s | 68 |
| 2000s | 290 |
| 2010s | 2,648 |
| 2020s | 1,622 |
Meaning & origin
Tinsley is a modern surname-turned-first-name that has been in use as a given name since 1982. It gained popularity in the 2010s, peaking in 2020, but has been falling recently. In 2025, it ranked 1109th, with a rate of 1 in every 7,546 births. The name is most popular in states like Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. It fits the pattern of -ley ending names that have been trendy for girls, such as Paisley and Kinsley.
Tinsley is an English surname derived from a place name in Yorkshire, meaning 'Tynni's clearing' (from the Old English personal name Tynni + leah 'wood, clearing'). It began to be used as a given name in the late 20th century, part of the trend for surnames as first names, especially for girls.
Where Tinsley is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Tinz, Tins, Lee
Sibling names for Tinsley
Names that share Tinsley's style, for a brother or sister.
