Finley or Finlay?

It looks like I may have convinced my OH on a name that I love - only problem is, I’m not sure which is considered to be the majority “boy” way of spelling it? Either way, I don’t mind but just would prefer to go for the version that’s considered the “most manly”. We live in the UK and I think it’s [name_u]Finley[/name_u] but just wanted to be sure. Is it [name_u]Finlay[/name_u] or [name_u]Finley[/name_u]? Thank you :slight_smile:

I think [name_u]Finley[/name_u] is just the most popular spelling. To me, they both scream boy, although I knew a girl with the last name [name_u]Finley[/name_u].

I have [name_u]Finley[/name_u] ([name_u]Finley[/name_u] [name_u]Orion[/name_u]) on my short boy list. I actually like either spelling and feel both are masculine, just slightly prefer [name_u]Finley[/name_u].

[name_u]Finley[/name_u] feels boy to me and [name_u]Finlay[/name_u] feels girl.

I think it’s a masculine name no matter how it’s spelled. That being said, I think [name_u]Finley[/name_u] is the more common/preferred. Someone correct me if that’s an American-centric misperception.

[name_u]Finlay[/name_u] is the correct/original spelling.

Is it a family name?

[name_u]Finlay[/name_u] is more authentic but I think [name_u]Finley[/name_u] is the most popular spelling.

[name_m]Both[/name_m] are only boys’ names in my opinion. I much prefer [name_u]Finlay[/name_u] and for some reason I always thought that this was the original spelling? The only 2 people (boys) I have known with this name spelt it [name_u]Finlay[/name_u]

You can see our stats here:

Finla/ey barely registers for girls in the UK, which is understandable considering it’s a boy’s name :wink:

[name_u]Finley[/name_u]=girl
[name_u]Finlay[/name_u]=girl

Try [name_m]Finnian[/name_m] or [name_m]Finnegan[/name_m] for a boy.

I would go with [name_u]Finlay[/name_u].

I’m happy to have the clarification. Of course, it makes me wish we had spelled our dog’s name -lay! [name_m]Alas[/name_m], at least he won’t ever know the difference.

[name_u]Finley[/name_u]. [name_u]Love[/name_u] it!!

[name_u]Finley[/name_u]. [name_u]Finlay[/name_u] makes me want to pronounce it differently (fin-lay, not fin-lee).

If you’re in the UK, the spelling isn’t an issue as far as gender goes, as you guys are a lot more sensible about using names on the correct gender! :wink:

[name_f]My[/name_f] personal preference of spelling is [name_u]Finley[/name_u] though.

They both feel like boy names to me but I think the most popular option is [name_u]Finley[/name_u].

I prefer finley because finlay reminds me of a chip brand.

This thread is four years old. Why was it revived?