Lindsay

A Old English name gently fading from the charts.

Girl's name| Also boysOld EnglishDeclining Also a pet name
#1982 101in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A surname A Scottish habitational surname from Old English from Lindsey in Lincolnshire, from the Old English name of the city of Lincoln, "Isle of Lind" ("Isle of Lincoln") in reference to it being surrounded by fenland. An Irish surname, variant of Lindsey

Lindsay is a girl's and boy's baby name of Old English origin, from the Scottish habitational surname meaning 'Lincoln's wetland' — combining the city of Lincoln with eg ('island' or 'wetland'). It became a popular given name for girls in the U.S. in the 1970s–90s.

Lindsay peaked in the U.S. girls' top 50 around 1984–1990 and has gradually declined since. It carries a breezy, preppy quality — associated with the All-American girl of the 1980s. The variant Lindsey is slightly more common in some years.

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Popularity Over Time

Lindsay was #241 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #1982, but its charm endures.

02k4k6k9k192019401960198020002024

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Lindsay
DecadeBirthsTrend
2020s581
2010s3,290
2000s12,262
1990s31,382
1980s68,492
1970s12,359
1960s583
1950s948
1940s327
1930s34
1920s19
1910s6

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(93 years, 19162024)
Year-by-year popularity data for the name Lindsay
YearBirthsRank
202499#1982
202393#2083
2022117#1770
2021148#1455
2020124#1661
2019144#1511
2018174#1311
2017217#1147
2016259#1023
2015328#852
2014433#661
2013412#687
2012396#710
2011435#655
2010492#597
2009575#527
2008848#382
20071,067#316
20061,248#263
20051,398#240

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Lindsay as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Lindsay has also been given to 5,136 boys in the U.S. since 1880.

Unranked
Current rank
5,136
Total births
1960
Peak year
Compare Lindsay as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Lindsay be used for both boys and girls?
Yes, Lindsay is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #1982. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Lindsay has two lives

Lindsay, the baby name
#1982girls
130,283 babies
Currently viewing
Lindsay, the pet name
#3304pet name
25 pets
View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (19162024) · Methodology