Lindsay Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: LIN-zee //ˈlɪn.zi//
Origin: Scottish; English
Meaning: Scottish: From the island of Lindsey; English: Island of Lincoln
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Lindsay has its origins in the Old English and Scottish languages, derived from a place name that combines the elements 'Lind,' referring to a 'lime tree,' and 'sēy,' meaning 'island' or 'riverbank.' The earliest recorded form of the name can be traced back to the 12th century, associated with the town of Lindsey in Lincolnshire, England. This geographical name eventually evolved into a personal name, gaining popularity as a surname before transitioning into a given name in the 20th century.
Historically, the name Lindsay has been borne by notable figures, including several Scottish nobles and the 16th-century poet Sir David Lindsay, who was known for his works that contributed to Scottish literature. The name is also linked to the Lindsay family, who were prominent in Scottish history, particularly during the medieval period.
Their influence can be seen in various historical texts and records, which document their roles in the political and social landscape of Scotland. Culturally, the name Lindsay has been associated with qualities such as strength and resilience, often reflecting the characteristics of the lime tree, which is known for its durability.
The name has also been embraced in various forms of literature and art, further embedding it in cultural consciousness. Additionally, diminutive forms like 'Lindy' have emerged, showcasing the name's adaptability and affection in familial or informal contexts.
Overall, Lindsay carries a rich historical and cultural significance, rooted in its linguistic origins and the legacy of those who have borne the name.
Famous people named Lindsay
In this section, you will find notable people named Lindsay. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Lindsay who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Lindsay who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Lindsay Lohan is an actress and singer best known for Mean Girls, The Parent Trap, and Freaky Friday.
Lindsay Wagner is an actress best known for The Bionic Woman, The Six Million Dollar Man, and The Love Boat.
Lindsay Sloane is an actress best known for She's Out of My League, The Other Woman, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
Lindsay Ell is a country music singer and songwriter best known for her albums The Project, Consider This, and The Continuum.
Lindsay Price is an actress best known for Beverly Hills, 90210, Lipstick Jungle, and Eastwick.
Fictional characters named Lindsay
The following list of fictional characters named Lindsay is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Lindsay is a fictional character from the TV series Total Drama. She is a contestant known for her social skills and popularity among her peers.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Lindsay, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Lindsay. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Lindsay was first seen in the United States in 1916.
Lindsay has ranked as high as #81 nationally, which occurred in 1983, and has been most popular in California, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Lindsay has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Lindsay is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Lindsay was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Lindsay (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 13 | |
| CA | 10 | |
| MA | 10 | |
| VA | 9 | |
| NJ | 6 | |
| NY | 6 | |
| FL | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Lindsay.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 99 |
| 2023 | 93 |
| 2022 | 117 |
| 2021 | 148 |
| 2020 | 124 |
| 2019 | 144 |
| 2018 | 174 |
| 2017 | 217 |
| 2016 | 259 |
| 2015 | 328 |
| 2014 | 433 |
| 2013 | 412 |
| 2012 | 396 |
| 2011 | 435 |
| 2010 | 492 |
| 2009 | 575 |
| 2008 | 848 |
| 2007 | 1,067 |
| 2006 | 1,248 |
| 2005 | 1,398 |
| 2004 | 1,354 |
| 2003 | 1,229 |
| 2002 | 1,241 |
| 2001 | 1,502 |
| 2000 | 1,800 |
| 1999 | 1,849 |
| 1998 | 1,938 |
| 1997 | 2,086 |
| 1996 | 2,397 |
| 1995 | 2,562 |
| 1994 | 3,101 |
| 1993 | 3,664 |
| 1992 | 4,262 |
| 1991 | 4,484 |
| 1990 | 5,039 |
| 1989 | 5,525 |
| 1988 | 6,025 |
| 1987 | 6,530 |
| 1986 | 6,952 |
| 1985 | 7,871 |
| 1984 | 8,511 |
| 1983 | 8,622 |
| 1982 | 8,260 |
| 1981 | 5,843 |
| 1980 | 4,353 |
| 1979 | 3,466 |
| 1978 | 3,123 |
| 1977 | 2,635 |
| 1976 | 2,070 |
| 1975 | 516 |
| 1974 | 213 |
| 1973 | 115 |
| 1972 | 62 |
| 1971 | 77 |
| 1970 | 82 |
| 1969 | 61 |
| 1968 | 70 |
| 1967 | 48 |
| 1966 | 59 |
| 1965 | 50 |
| 1964 | 53 |
| 1963 | 69 |
| 1962 | 61 |
| 1961 | 58 |
| 1960 | 54 |
| 1959 | 69 |
| 1958 | 81 |
| 1957 | 98 |
| 1956 | 83 |
| 1955 | 92 |
| 1954 | 77 |
| 1953 | 95 |
| 1952 | 125 |
| 1951 | 112 |
| 1950 | 116 |
| 1949 | 83 |
| 1948 | 68 |
| 1947 | 59 |
| 1946 | 31 |
| 1945 | 18 |
| 1944 | 22 |
| 1943 | 15 |
| 1942 | 12 |
| 1941 | 9 |
| 1940 | 10 |
| 1939 | 5 |
| 1938 | 6 |
| 1937 | 8 |
| 1936 | 15 |
| 1928 | 7 |
| 1926 | 7 |
| 1921 | 5 |
| 1916 | 6 |