Lindsey Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: LIN-zee /ˈlɪn.zi/
Origin: English; Scottish
Meaning: English: island of linden trees; Scottish: from the linden tree
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Lindsey has its roots in Old English, derived from the place name Lindisfarne, which itself comes from the Old English elements 'lind,' meaning 'lime tree,' and 'island,' referring to the island of Lindisfarne off the northeast coast of England. The name evolved through various forms, including Lindesey and Lindsey, before being adopted into Middle English.
As a surname, it was used to denote individuals from the area, and over time, it transitioned into a given name, particularly for girls, in the 20th century. Historically, the name Lindsey is associated with significant figures and events.
One notable reference is Saint Cuthbert, who was a prominent figure in early medieval Christianity and was linked to Lindisfarne, where he became the Bishop of Lindisfarne in the 7th century. The island was also the site of the famous Lindisfarne Gospels, created around the 8th century, which are considered masterpieces of Insular art and a vital part of Christian heritage in England.
The name gained further recognition through its mention in various historical texts and literature over the centuries. Culturally, Lindsey carries connotations of nature and tranquility, reflecting its etymological roots in 'lime tree.' The name has been embraced in various forms and adaptations, often associated with a sense of place and identity.
The diminutive form 'Lindy' has also emerged, providing a more informal and affectionate variant of the name. Overall, Lindsey's historical and cultural significance is intertwined with its geographical origins and the rich tapestry of English history.
Famous people named Lindsey
In this section, you will find notable people named Lindsey. 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 Lindsey who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Lindsey 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.
Lindsey Vonn is an alpine ski racer best known for her Olympic medals, World Cup victories, and being a prominent figure in winter sports.
Lindsey Buckingham is a musician best known as the guitarist and vocalist of Fleetwood Mac and for his solo albums.
Lindsey Stirling is a violinist and dancer best known for her unique blend of classical music and electronic dance music, as well as her YouTube performances.
Lindsey Lohan is an actress and singer best known for her roles in Mean Girls, The Parent Trap, and Freaky Friday.
Fictional characters named Lindsey
The following list of fictional characters named Lindsey 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.
Lindsey McDonald is a fictional character from the TV series Angel. He is a lawyer who initially works for Wolfram & Hart and later becomes a more complex character with a moral struggle.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Lindsey, 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 Lindsey. 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 Lindsey was first seen in the United States in 1924.
Lindsey has ranked as high as #80 nationally, which occurred in 1984, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Ohio, Florida, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Lindsey has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Lindsey 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 Lindsey was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Lindsey (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 |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 20 | |
| TX | 18 | |
| OH | 11 | |
| NY | 9 | |
| PA | 9 | |
| TN | 9 | |
| IN | 8 | |
| GA | 8 | |
| MD | 7 | |
| NC | 7 | |
| FL | 7 | |
| UT | 6 | |
| AZ | 6 |
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 Lindsey.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 180 |
| 2023 | 179 |
| 2022 | 181 |
| 2021 | 195 |
| 2020 | 244 |
| 2019 | 276 |
| 2018 | 323 |
| 2017 | 315 |
| 2016 | 364 |
| 2015 | 476 |
| 2014 | 534 |
| 2013 | 504 |
| 2012 | 579 |
| 2011 | 647 |
| 2010 | 803 |
| 2009 | 1,010 |
| 2008 | 1,227 |
| 2007 | 1,555 |
| 2006 | 1,886 |
| 2005 | 2,094 |
| 2004 | 2,255 |
| 2003 | 2,540 |
| 2002 | 2,816 |
| 2001 | 3,050 |
| 2000 | 3,211 |
| 1999 | 3,417 |
| 1998 | 3,465 |
| 1997 | 3,636 |
| 1996 | 4,112 |
| 1995 | 4,377 |
| 1994 | 4,988 |
| 1993 | 5,845 |
| 1992 | 5,894 |
| 1991 | 6,459 |
| 1990 | 6,782 |
| 1989 | 7,069 |
| 1988 | 7,001 |
| 1987 | 7,457 |
| 1986 | 8,051 |
| 1985 | 8,468 |
| 1984 | 9,006 |
| 1983 | 8,679 |
| 1982 | 7,961 |
| 1981 | 4,863 |
| 1980 | 3,386 |
| 1979 | 2,758 |
| 1978 | 1,812 |
| 1977 | 1,381 |
| 1976 | 873 |
| 1975 | 361 |
| 1974 | 234 |
| 1973 | 101 |
| 1972 | 75 |
| 1971 | 69 |
| 1970 | 70 |
| 1969 | 68 |
| 1968 | 56 |
| 1967 | 54 |
| 1966 | 41 |
| 1965 | 42 |
| 1964 | 47 |
| 1963 | 57 |
| 1962 | 45 |
| 1961 | 70 |
| 1960 | 41 |
| 1959 | 52 |
| 1958 | 65 |
| 1957 | 84 |
| 1956 | 66 |
| 1955 | 43 |
| 1954 | 71 |
| 1953 | 53 |
| 1952 | 66 |
| 1951 | 51 |
| 1950 | 51 |
| 1949 | 47 |
| 1948 | 24 |
| 1947 | 33 |
| 1946 | 20 |
| 1945 | 11 |
| 1944 | 6 |
| 1942 | 7 |
| 1941 | 8 |
| 1940 | 5 |
| 1937 | 7 |
| 1924 | 5 |