Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Lindsey
GirlEnglish, Old English· “from Lindsey, 'island of Lincoln'”
- Meaning
- from Lindsey, 'island of Lincoln'
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- LIHN-zee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,369
- US babies 2025
- 161
- Best rank
- #35 (1983)
- Peak year
- 1984
Meaning and origin of Lindsey
Lindsey is an English and Old English name that means “from Lindsey, 'island of Lincoln'”.
Lindsey comes from the name of a district in Lincolnshire, England. The Old English place name combined the old name for Lincoln with a word for island or dry ground in a marsh, so it roughly means the island of Lincoln. A Norman family took the place name as a surname and carried it to Scotland, where the Lindsay clan became prominent. It was long used for boys, but in America it shifted to girls and became a favorite in the later twentieth century. Spellings include Lindsay, Linsey and Lyndsey. Today it has a friendly, approachable feel, and it pairs easily with both classic and modern sibling names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Lindsay.
Popularity over time
Lindsey first appears in US Social Security records in 1924. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 46 different years, starting in 1974. Its best national rank was #35 in 1983, and the most babies received it in 1984, when 9,005 were named Lindsey. In 2025, 161 babies were named Lindsey, and it ranked #1,369 nationally. That is 66% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,289 in 1950, #91 in 1980, #103 in 2000, #400 in 2010, and #1,369 in 2025. Of the 157,551 US girls named Lindsey since records began, 46% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 48,975 babies. Since 2010, 5,963 more have been named Lindsey.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Alicia, Vanessa, Jenna, Holly, and Krystal.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Lindsey ranked highest in North Carolina, Indiana, and Maryland.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | #874 | 11 |
| Indiana | #879 | 7 |
| Maryland | #938 | 5 |
| Massachusetts | #953 | 5 |
| Washington | #994 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Lindsey over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Lindsey is usually pronounced LIHN-zee, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with L and ends in “-ey”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Lindsay.
Middle names for Lindsey
A few middle names that flow with Lindsey: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Lindsey
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Lists that include Lindsey
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lindsey mean?
Lindsey is an English and Old English name that means “from Lindsey, 'island of Lincoln'”.
What is the origin of the name Lindsey?
Lindsey has English, Old English, and Scottish roots. Lindsey comes from the name of a district in Lincolnshire, England.
Is Lindsey a popular name?
Not especially. Lindsey ranked #1,369 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Lindsey a boy or girl name?
Lindsey is mainly a girl's name. About 99% of US babies named Lindsey over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Lindsey?
Lindsey 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