Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Lindsay
GirlEnglish, Scottish· “from Lindsey in Lincolnshire”
- Meaning
- from Lindsey in Lincolnshire
- Origin
- English, Scottish
- Pronunciation
- LIHN-zee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,208
- US babies 2025
- 84
- Best rank
- #36 (1983)
- Peak year
- 1983
Meaning and origin of Lindsay
Lindsay is an English and Scottish name that is usually said to mean “from Lindsey in Lincolnshire”.
Lindsay comes from a Scottish surname that originated in England, taken from Lindsey, a region of Lincolnshire whose name is usually explained as "island of Lincoln" or "wetland of the Lindon people". The Lindsay family followed the Normans to Scotland, where they became a prominent clan, including the Earls of Crawford. As a first name Lindsay was once used for boys but became mainly feminine in the twentieth century. It sounds friendly and familiar, and it appears in several spellings, including Lindsey and Lyndsay. Lin and Linds are casual short forms.
Other spellings with the same sound: Lindsey.
Popularity over time
Lindsay first appears in US Social Security records in 1916. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 47 different years, starting in 1949. Its best national rank was #36 in 1983, the same year it reached its highest count of 8,622 babies. In 2025, 84 babies were named Lindsay, and it ranked #2,208 nationally. That is 74% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #810 in 1950, #71 in 1980, #179 in 2000, #597 in 2010, and #2,208 in 2025. Of the 130,365 US girls named Lindsay since records began, 53% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 31,382 babies. Since 2010, 3,955 more have been named Lindsay.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Alicia, Kristen, Holly, Latoya, and Candice.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Lindsay ranked highest in Massachusetts, Texas, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #952 | 5 |
| Texas | #1507 | 16 |
| New York | #1965 | 6 |
| Florida | #2048 | 6 |
| California | #3347 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Lindsay over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Lindsay is usually pronounced LIHN-zee, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with L and ends in “-ay”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Lindsey.
Middle names for Lindsay
A few middle names that flow with Lindsay: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Lindsay
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Lists that include Lindsay
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lindsay mean?
Lindsay is an English and Scottish name that is usually said to mean “from Lindsey in Lincolnshire”.
What is the origin of the name Lindsay?
Lindsay has English and Scottish roots. Lindsay comes from a Scottish surname that originated in England, taken from Lindsey, a region of Lincolnshire whose name is usually explained as "island of Lincoln" or "wetland of the Lindon people".
Is Lindsay a popular name?
Not especially. Lindsay ranked #2,208 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Lindsay a boy or girl name?
Lindsay is mainly a girl's name. About 99% of US babies named Lindsay over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Lindsay?
Lindsay is usually pronounced LIHN-zee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings