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Home › Baby Names Directory › Lynley

Lynley

♀ Girl

Pronounced LIN-lee /ˈlɪn.li/High

Meaning: From an English place-name/surname — Old English, 'the flax field/clearing' or 'the lime-tree meadow'; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Soft and modern: Lynley is the English 'the flax field; the lime-tree clearing'. Sweet, sleek, and warm.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningFrom an English place-name/surname — Old English, 'the flax field/clearing' or 'the lime-tree meadow'; routes layered
U.S. rank (2025)#5649 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births22 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 991

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201619622025

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

Lynley comes from an English place-name and surname — from Old English, 'the flax field/clearing' (lin, 'flax') or 'the lime-tree (linden) meadow' (routes layered, which we note). A soft, sleek surname-name (the Inspector Lynley novels), used for both sexes, here for girls.

It registers thinly in records. Rare, the-flax-field at the (likely) root, and sleek.

Did you know? Lynley means 'the flax field' or 'the lime-tree clearing' (Old English) — a soft, modern surname-name (the Inspector Lynley mysteries), used for both sexes.
Overall data confidence 58%
Surname references — Lynley — routes layered

Variations

LynleighLindleyLinley

Nicknames

Lyn

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Lynley…

Linley— a companion spelling
Kinsley— another -ley girls' name
Brinley— a fellow -ley name
Lindsey— a similarly popular pick
Loxley— another English name

Explore names like Lynley

By themeuncertainenglishunisexsurname-nameplace-name
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Frequently Asked

What does the name Lynley mean?

Lynley is English for 'the flax field' or 'the lime-tree clearing'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Lynley?

It's said LIN-lee /ˈlɪn.li/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Lynley a boy or girl name?

Lynley is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Lynley?

Lynley is a rare name in the U.S.

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