Finley for a girl

Girl Names
1

I know [name]Finley[/name] is traditionally a Scottish boy’s name, and that recently it has been given to girls. [name]Even[/name] so, I have read in earlier posts that some nameberries feel they wouldn’t know if [name]Finley[/name] was a boy or a girl (in other words, confusing/still too much of a boy’s name). I believe that once a boys name falls into the girl’s realm, it isn’t going to swing back the other way. What do you think about [name]Finley[/name] for a girl??

Another comment I read said [name]Finley[/name] is becomming too popular…and I guess popular to nameberries is when the name breaks the top 1000! I totally understand, but I live in a small town in the Midwest where [name]Finley[/name] will make ppl say “come again?”

My original name list (before I realized that the hubby is not nameberry material), looked something like this:

[name]Wren[/name]
[name]Harper[/name]
[name]Harlow[/name]
[name]Tatum[/name]
[name]Piper[/name]
[name]Story[/name]
[name]Everly[/name]
[name]Romy[/name]
[name]Journey[/name]
[name]True[/name]

These have all been vetoed, so I am trying to find a name that my hubby will be comfortable with but still in the style I have above…
so far [name]Finley[/name] is fitting the bill, but I’m open.

We would like to be able to use the middle name [name]Kate[/name] or [name]Kathleen[/name] (family name) if we can.

FYI: some history on the name: http://www.surnamedb.com/surname.aspx?name=[name]Finlay[/name]

2

As much as a love [name]Finn[/name] for a boy I can see [name]Finley[/name] working on a girl. I’m not a fan of boys names on girls but [name]Finley[/name] isnt terrible. [name]Finley[/name] [name]Katherine[/name] sound fine to me.

3

[name]Hi[/name]!

You picked the right name for me to comment on! It just so happens that [name]Findlay[/name] - [name]Fin[/name] - is my dog’s name! Fits him to a tee, for sure! I love to comment on the variety of [name]Finley[/name], [name]Finlay[/name], and [name]Findlay[/name] posts here on Nameberry, not because I think the name is a dog name (it isn’t!), but because I think it has such character.

So, [name]Finley[/name] for a girl? Definitely, it can work! [name]Finley[/name] is a soft name, by nature of the sounds involved in the name, so it has that light, ethereal, stereotypically feminine flair going on from the start. The [name]Findlay[/name] spelling gives the name a bit more of a masculine charge, in my opinion, which is why I recommended this spelling for a fellow poster looking for a male name - hi, Kath! The name has received some celebrity attention as of late, with [name]Angie[/name] [name]Harmon[/name] having a [name]Finley[/name] [name]Faith[/name] (b. 2003) and [name]Lisa[/name] [name]Marie[/name] [name]Presley[/name] having a [name]Finley[/name] [name]Aaron[/name] [name]Love[/name] (b. 2008, twin to [name]Harper[/name] [name]Vivienne[/name] [name]Ann[/name]) - both are girls. You wouldn’t be alone in naming a daughter [name]Finley[/name], especially in today’s naming climate, where traditionally male names, or surnames, are becoming popular choices for girls. Let’s discuss a few things, though…

  1. Popularity. In 2008, the SSA ranked [name]Finley[/name] as #665, whereas other spelling [name]Finlay[/name] and [name]Findlay[/name] were not ranked. On this chart, [name]Finley[/name] was surrounded by [name]Aleena[/name], Shaniah, and [name]Madilynn[/name] on the lower half and [name]Kinley[/name], [name]Kaia[/name], and [name]Aliya[/name] on the upper half - none of these other names are really “popular” in today’s playground crowd (note the spelling of [name]Madilynn[/name] - [name]Madeline[/name], [name]Madelyn[/name], and [name]Madeleine[/name] are the more popular variants). In reality, [name]Finley[/name] isn’t a very popular choice for a girl, and according to the SSA, it is an even more unusual choice for a boy (#818 in 2008). [name]Finn[/name], on the other hand, reached #368 on the 2008 SSA list as a stand-alone name for boys. Undoubtedly, the name has continued to rise, not only because more celebrities are using the name ([name]Christy[/name] Turlington has a [name]Finn[/name], [name]Vera[/name] Farmiga has a [name]Fynn[/name], and [name]Julia[/name] [name]Roberts[/name] has a Phinaeus “[name]Finn[/name]”) and because of mega-popular Glee’s teen heart-throb, [name]Finn[/name] [name]Hudson[/name]. What does that mean for you? More people are going to name their children (boys and girls, but probably more boys) [name]Finn[/name], [name]Finley[/name], and its variant forms. As someone who believes that love of a name beats popularity, I think you are in the safe.

  2. Spelling. Well, for a girl, it really comes down to [name]Finley[/name] versus [name]Finlay[/name]. All that [name]Fynly[/name], [name]Finleigh[/name], Fynleigh nonsense is just that - nonsense - and should not be considered. The question is what looks most feminine! Really, it is a bit of a free-for-all, as the -ley ending is an established feminine suffix at this point ([name]Kailey[/name], [name]Miley[/name], [name]Kiley[/name]), but then again, what about [name]Riley[/name], a technically unisex name that I frankly see as masculine? Then we’ve got [name]Finlay[/name], which seems more feminine to me, off-hand, because of that friendly A. Then again, it makes me think of Lays potato chips to some extent. I think I like [name]Finley[/name] more, myself - maybe I’m biased because, to me, [name]Finlay[/name] doesn’t look complete without that D (as in [name]Findlay[/name], my dog). So, let’s say [name]Finley[/name] is your best bet!

  3. Siblings. Once you enter into the unisex territory, it is difficult to turn back. Since this seems to be your go-to style, I don’t think you’ll have a problem with it, but it is important to choose ‘unisex’ names that have more of a gender identity so that people aren’t utterly confused when you babble off your kids’ names. What do I mean by that? Well, [name]Piper[/name], [name]Harper[/name], [name]Reagan[/name], and [name]Teagan[/name] have more feminine feels to them, whereas [name]Riley[/name], [name]Skyler[/name] ([name]Schuyler[/name]), and, to an extent, [name]Peyton[/name] ([name]Manning[/name]) have more masculine feels to them. You could even add [name]Spencer[/name] to that list of male names, especially with the C spelling (as compared to [name]Spenser[/name], the name of my female cousin). Also, when you have a female [name]Finley[/name], you sure as heck can’t go name her sister [name]Arabella[/name], you know? And, you really can’t name her brother [name]Ashley[/name], either. If you are okay with that, then maybe this is the style for you!

All of that being considered, I think [name]Finley[/name] has a fresh, fun, young sound that feels modern yet somewhat classic in its vaguely surname appeal. I see it as both feminine and masculine, soft enough to fit the tiniest of little dancers yet rugged enough to fit the strongest of little footballers. But, in all honesty, I couldn’t stand to see a little female [name]Finley[/name] called [name]Fin[/name] - or [name]Finn[/name] - on a regular basis! [name]Fin[/name] (we spell the dog’s name like this) is fine in passing, but does it really stack up as a nickname for a little girl? You might ask how it is different from [name]Ronnie[/name] for [name]Veronica[/name] or [name]Charlie[/name] for [name]Charlotte[/name], and maybe I can’t answer that in any more specific terms than it just ‘is.’ But, at the end of the day, in the world of [name]Finn[/name] [name]Hudson[/name], your little female [name]Finn[/name] will undoubtedly be mistaken for a boy every day of her life. So, a word to the wise - keep her [name]Finley[/name], and embrace it!

By the way, I think that [name]Finley[/name] [name]Kate[/name] and [name]Finley[/name] [name]Kathleen[/name] are both lovely. The perfect way to compliment a unisex first name is to pair it with an established classic in the middle. So, [name]Finley[/name] [name]Kathleen[/name], say hello to [name]Teagan[/name] [name]Elizabeth[/name] and [name]Sawyer[/name] [name]Benjamin[/name], okay? Choose your middle name based on your last name - [name]Finley[/name] [name]Kate[/name] [name]Petersen[/name] and [name]Finley[/name] [name]Kathleen[/name] [name]Bower[/name] work!

Take care, and good luck! Sorry for such a long post!

[name]Lemon[/name] :slight_smile:

4

Well, [name]Finley[/name] IS a boy’s name, so I don’t know why you’d want to use it on a girl… I’ve never really understood that trend. And I think even though it’s trending towards the girls, it’s still used enough on boys that she’d get confused for a boy on written things, and have other problems like that… what about [name]Fiona[/name] [name]Lee[/name], or Finnoula, nn [name]Finley[/name]?

5

[name]Lemon[/name], you’ve given us a lot to think about! My hubby is partial to names that have cute nicknames, but I told him we will probably make something up based on her personality (mine was noodles, but only at home). We definately have to consider a lot of what you said…why can’t I just like names that are clearly for girls and not controversial at all?! Argh.

I’m afraid that no name is good enough! I’ll give an update some time soon. In the meantime, any suggestions based on my list?

6

[name]Finley[/name] WAS a boy’s name. Here’s how I look at it: once a name hits the girls side, and surpasses the number of boys given that name, its unisex until it becomes a girl’s name. Examples:

[name]Evelyn[/name]
[name]Hillary[/name]
[name]Lauren[/name]
[name]Lindsey[/name]
[name]Leslie[/name]
[name]Ashley[/name]
[name]Kelly[/name]

I have a feeling you wouldn’t think twice about a girl named [name]Ashley[/name] or [name]Evelyn[/name] (HIGHLY feminine names today). I’m just playing devil’s advocate bc I think you’re being a little quick to judge.

1 Like
7

Here are some more names you might like in that unisex genre:

[name]Arden[/name] - [name]Auden[/name] - [name]Alcott[/name] - [name]Avery[/name]
[name]Bellamy[/name] - [name]Bronwyn[/name]
[name]Carden[/name] - [name]Corey[/name]
[name]Darby[/name] - [name]Delaney[/name] - [name]Devon[/name]
[name]Ellis[/name] - [name]Ellery[/name]
[name]Hollis[/name] - [name]Harper[/name] - [name]Hayden[/name]
[name]Lennon[/name] - [name]Loren[/name]
[name]Paxton[/name] - [name]Payton[/name]
[name]Quinn[/name]
[name]Reese[/name] - [name]Rowan[/name] - [name]Ripley[/name] - [name]Reagan[/name]
[name]Skye[/name] - [name]Skyler[/name] ([name]Schuyler[/name]) - [name]Sawyer[/name]
[name]Tess[/name] - [name]Tamsin[/name] (girl!) - [name]Taylor[/name] - [name]Tegan[/name] ([name]Teagan[/name])

Good luck!

[name]Lemon[/name] :slight_smile:

8

I love [name]Finley[/name] for a girl! I am finding out the gender of my baby this weekend. If it’s a girl, her name will definitely be [name]Finley[/name] [name]Marie[/name]. Her informal nickname would be “Finnie”. Like [name]Minnie[/name] but different. People are naming their kids after inanimate objects these days, so who cares if [name]Finley[/name] is a boy’s name traditionally? If you love it, use it! Like [name]Lemon[/name] said, it’s classic and modern at the same time but more importantly not common.

9

[name]IMO[/name] [name]Finley[/name] is girl territory. Any of those English “place” names have been feminized in my mind. Of course, my name is [name]Lesley[/name] (the female version of [name]Leslie[/name] to the English) and I named my daughter an -ley name too.
[name]Ainsley[/name]
[name]Brinley[/name]
[name]Briony[/name]
etc … love them all. Go for it!

10
11

I’ll present the name [name]Delaney[/name] the the hubby. [name]Trust[/name] me, I’ve tried some of the others. [name]Love[/name] [name]Tamsin[/name] and [name]Bronwen[/name], but no go.
[name]Delaney[/name]

12

Thank you for your input! What name are you thinking for a boy? I’m so glad you like [name]Finley[/name] and I never thought about Finnie for a nickname but it reminds me of [name]Winnie[/name] and I really like it!

13

I am not a fan of [name]Finley[/name] for a girl. On the other hand, too bad your hubby vetoed [name]Romy[/name] and [name]Wren[/name], I love both of those for girls.

[name]Romy[/name] is a nice traditional name that you rarely see…

I also like [name]Mallory[/name] or [name]Felicity[/name] (if you want an F name).

14

[name]Hi[/name]! My name is actually considered unisex, so if you love it don’t worry about it! [name]Blair[/name], my name, was and, depending where you are, still is traditionally male. [name]Finley[/name] is also Scottish and in the same boat. Like mama jester said (and I cracked up): inanimate objects. Does anyone remember that episode of 30 [name]Rock[/name] where [name]Sy[/name]'rai (sa ree) talks about baby names and says “If it’s a girl, I like Sandstorm!, or [name]Hat[/name], but [name]Hat[/name] is really more of a boys name”?

It’s a gorgeous name and I’m just gonna have to give props to lemon for nailing all of the bullet points so beautiful.

[name]Finley[/name] [name]Kate[/name] is so streamlined and chic, I love it. [name]Finley[/name] [name]Kathleen[/name] gives me more of a cozy feeling and perhaps you would like to choose that to highlight irish heritage if you have it.

You have to lovely choices, it’s really just up to your style preference! Best wishes!

15

[name]Finley[/name] WAS a boy’s name. Here’s how I look at it: once a name hits the girls side, and surpasses the number of boys given that name, its unisex until it becomes a girl’s name. Examples:

[name]Evelyn[/name]
[name]Hillary[/name]
[name]Lauren[/name]
[name]Lindsey[/name]
[name]Leslie[/name]
[name]Ashley[/name]
[name]Kelly[/name]

I have a feeling you wouldn’t think twice about a girl named [name]Ashley[/name] or [name]Evelyn[/name] (HIGHLY feminine names today). I’m just playing devil’s advocate bc I think you’re being a little quick to judge.[/quote]

You could say that, but the way I see it is like this: [name]William[/name] is a boy’s name, [name]Charles[/name] is a boy’s name, [name]Finley[/name] is a boy’s name. [name]Finley[/name] has a more ‘feminine’ sound, and is being used on girls. It may be used more for girls (and less for boys) but that still doesn’t change the fact that [name]Finley[/name] is a boy’s name. I hate seeing girl Ashleys, and Lindsays, and I think the world needs a lot more boy ones! [name]Evelyn[/name] originated as a surname, so it’s not quite the same.

I guess it’s just a major pet peeve of mine-- don’t take it personally! :slight_smile: It’s the same with tryndee spellings-- I just don’t get those, either! :slight_smile:

Good luck!

16

I will admit that I would automatically assume boy on reading [name]Finley[/name]. However, she will be your daughter and you should name her what you and your partner love. I think it will be ok if you give her a definitely feminine middle name - this should minimise the confusion re:gender. I had a friend at university who was assigned to a all-boys corridor - her name was [name]Dale[/name]. So, just as long as this does not bother you.

On the middle name front [name]Finley[/name] [name]Katherine[/name] is very pretty.

Good luck, [name]Caoimhe[/name]

17

But think about how [name]Avery[/name] was always a boy’s name, but now, it seems so silly for a boy! I would feel bad for a male [name]Avery[/name] now b/c [name]Avery[/name] is such a more popular girls name. (I saw this as a school teacher w/ 150 kids per year). Interesting that [name]Jason[/name] Sehorn and [name]Angie[/name] [name]Harmon[/name] have both a [name]Finley[/name] ([name]Finley[/name] [name]Faith[/name]) and an [name]Avery[/name] ([name]Avery[/name] [name]Grace[/name]). I think their third girl is [name]Emery[/name] [name]Hope[/name]. I love their names!!

18

I love [name]Finley[/name] [name]Kate[/name]. [name]Kate[/name] is one of my favorite choices for a middle name also. With so many of the celebrities naming their girls [name]Lou[/name], [name]Billie[/name], [name]Jessie[/name], [name]Joseph[/name] - [name]Finley[/name] is not going to seem like a male name - at least I don’t think so! :slight_smile:

19

@Irisrose

[name]Evelyn[/name] was used as a given name for males for a long time. I don’t worry too much about how a name was intended to be used, but I do prefer names with a solid history (and also don’t like Uneek spellings). I really think what sounds Masculine/feminine is relative to the times. I don’t know that [name]Ashley[/name] or [name]Evelyn[/name] sounded feminine back in the 19th century. I also wish there were more boy Ashleys and Lindseys…bc I would use those for a boy but everyone would think girl.
One other thought: [name]Finley[/name] was only given to 400 and some girls and even less boys on the 2008 census, so I don’t know if ppl KNOW what gender it belongs to (unless they are familiar with Scottish/Irish names). I guess I felt like a lot of ppl would be hearing it for the first time.

20

“If it’s a girl, I like Sandstorm!, or [name]Hat[/name], but [name]Hat[/name] is really more of a boys name”?

Very funny, and also relevent to the conversation!