Finlay sits comfortably in the UK charts at #181 in 2024 — recognisable but not overwhelming. Your child may occasionally share their name.
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UK Rank 2024
#181
About the Name Finlay
Finlay is holding steady in the rankings at #181. It reached its peak of #83 in 2012 and has maintained consistent levels since — the hallmark of a name with lasting rather than trend-driven appeal. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996. It briefly reached the UK top 100, though it typically sits a little further down the charts.
Finlay is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Finlay
Unlikely. With around 280 UK babies named Finlay per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Finlay in his class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Finlay has held a stable position around #181 for several years. It reached its recorded peak of #83 in 2012 and has maintained consistent levels since — suggesting lasting rather than trend-driven appeal.
Finlay is a distinctive choice sitting outside the mainstream UK top names. Parents choosing less common names often find their children appreciate the individuality as they grow up, rarely needing to add an initial to distinguish themselves.
Notable people named Finlay include: Finlay Christie — Finlay Turner Christie is a Scottish-born New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a halfback for Tasman in the Bunnings NPC and the Blues in Super Rugby.; Alec Finlay — Alec Finlay is a Scottish-born artist currently based in Edinburgh.; Finlay Institute — The Finlay Institute (Spanish: Instituto Finlay de Vacunas, lit..
Finlay does not appear in the US top 1,000 baby names, making it a distinctively British choice — your child is unlikely to encounter American Finlays in the wild.
280
UK babies named Finlay (2024)
~0.0
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.1
In a school of 600
↓ 13 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Finlay
Likely around 1 other Finlay in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
No US data available for this name
✨ Similar names to Finlay
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Finlay Turner Christie is a Scottish-born New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a halfback for Tasman in the Bunnings NPC and the Blues in Super Rugby. Born in Scotland, he represents New Zealand at international level after qualifying on residency grounds.
Robert Bannatyne Finlay, 1st Viscount Finlay,, known as Sir Robert Finlay from 1895 to 1916, was a British barrister and politician who was Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain from 1916 to 1919.
The Finlay Institute (Spanish: Instituto Finlay de Vacunas, lit. 'Finlay Vaccine Institute') is a Cuban organization that carries out medical research and mainly produces vaccines.
William Finlay, 2nd Viscount Finlay, was a British judge and peer who served as a Lord Justice of Appeal from 1938 to 1945. The son of Lord Chancellor Finlay, William Finlay was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge, before being called to the English bar in 1901.