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Finlay

♀ Girl

Pronounced FIN-lay /ˈfɪn.leɪ/Medium

Meaning: From the Scottish Gaelic Fionnlagh, 'fair hero; fair-haired warrior' (fionn, 'fair,' + laogh, 'warrior; calf'). Used here for a girl, though it is overwhelmingly a boy's name — we flag the strong cross-sex lean.Medium

In 30 seconds: A Scottish classic: Finlay means 'fair hero' (said 'FIN-lay'). Overwhelmingly a boy's name — we flag the lean clearly.

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Origin MediumScottish, Gaelic

MeaningFrom the Scottish Gaelic Fionnlagh, 'fair hero; fair-haired warrior' (fionn, 'fair,' + laogh, 'warrior; calf'). Used here for a girl, though it is overwhelmingly a boy's name — we flag the strong cross-sex lean.

U.S. rank (2023)#15957 ↘ Falling

2023 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2017

Total births (all-time)≈ 196

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Finlay, from the Gaelic Fionnlagh ('fair hero'), is a well-loved Scottish boys' name. As a girl's name it is very rare and reads strongly cross-sex, which we flag (said 'FIN-lay').

For girls it appears only very rarely in the U.S., against far heavier boys' use. Rare, Scottish, and heathery.

Did you know? Finlay comes from the Scottish Gaelic Fionnlagh, 'fair hero; fair-haired warrior' — a strong, heathery Highland name. It's used here for a girl, though it is overwhelmingly a boy's name, which we flag clearly (said 'FIN-lay').

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Finlay — Scottish Gaelic Fionnlagh 'fair hero'; strongly boy-leaning

Variations

FinleyFinnleyFynlay

Nicknames

FinFinn

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Finlay…

Finn— the short cousin

Sloane— a like crisp surname-style pick

Islay— echoes that soft -ay sound

Murray— another Scottish name

Mckay— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Finlay

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Finlay mean?

Finlay is Scottish Gaelic for 'fair hero; fair-haired warrior.'

How do you pronounce Finlay?

It's said FIN-lay /ˈfɪn.leɪ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Finlay a boy or girl name?

Finlay is overwhelmingly a boy's name; its use for a girl is rare, which we flag clearly.

How popular is Finlay?

Finlay is rare for girls and more common for boys in the U.S.