Lynsey
A girl's name of Old English origin with 4,929 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Parents who choose Lynsey tend to be looking for something that feels real but not common — a name with 4,929 recorded births and a peak of 254 in 1982, enough history to feel legitimate without being ordinary.
The bright, approachable ending gives Lynsey a crisp, modern feel that pairs easily with most surnames.
In the most recent SSA release, Lynsey ranks #12892 among U.S. girl names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Lynsey is a girl's baby name of Old English origin, a variant of Lindsay, from the Old English place name Lindsey (Lincolnshire), meaning 'Lincoln's marsh' or 'island of linden trees,' from linden (lime tree) and ey (island). The -sey ending gives it a slightly maritime feel.
Lynsey is breezy and unpretentious — a name with genuine English geographic heritage that wears it with easy, contemporary freshness.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Lynsey is a girl's name with several decades of recorded use (1966–2024). Its Old English roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Today, Lynsey is an active part of the American naming landscape (ranked #12892), continuing to accumulate its own cultural meaning with each new child who carries it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Lynsey was #2057 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #12892, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 24 | #12246 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 132 | #9728 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 734 | #2787 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 1,568 | #1172 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 2,071 | #835 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 387 | #3991 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 13 | #6351 | — |
The Story of Lynsey
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1982, Lynsey is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Lynsey are most likely born between 1972 and 1992.
How rare is Lynsey?
Only about 1 in every 514,286 babies born in 2024 was named Lynsey — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1966, peaked in the 1980s with 2,071 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Lynsey by the numbers
- Would fill 103 school buses
- Meeting one Lynsey per day would take 13.5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(52 years, 1966–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | #12892 |
| 2021 | 6 | #14556 |
| 2020 | 11 | #9291 |
| 2019 | 9 | #11023 |
| 2018 | 8 | #12066 |
| 2017 | 5 | #17420 |
| 2016 | 11 | #9817 |
| 2015 | 12 | #9277 |
| 2014 | 26 | #5246 |
| 2013 | 12 | #9383 |
| 2012 | 14 | #8464 |
| 2011 | 15 | #8041 |
| 2010 | 20 | #6546 |
| 2009 | 33 | #4542 |
| 2008 | 30 | #4968 |
| 2007 | 44 | #3691 |
| 2006 | 56 | #3039 |
| 2005 | 74 | #2395 |
| 2004 | 89 | #2057 |
| 2003 | 82 | #2136 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lynsey a boy's or girl's name?
When was Lynsey most popular?
How popular is the name Lynsey?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1966–2024