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Baby names

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Original poster

Finlay or Finley?

61 replies

Crazymummyto3 · 22/07/2020 22:49

We like the name Finlay for a boy, which could be shortened to Finn. Would you spell it Finlay or Finley?

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Sojo88 · 23/07/2020 11:18

Finlay is the version I've always seen - Finley looks misspelt to me. Lovely name Smile

wishfulthinking101 · 23/07/2020 11:06

Finley

florascotia2 · 23/07/2020 11:05

Sorry about random punctuation in the above. More haste less speed.

florascotia2 · 23/07/2020 11:04

pippi Fionn (pronounded 'Fyonn', English version Finn) is a Gaelic adjective meaning white, bright or fair In all senses). It's been used as a name for thousands of years, most famously in the ancient legend of (in English) Finn MacCool? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fionn_mac_Cumhaill

Fionn/Fin also forms part of many other names, eg Finbar, Fintan and of course Finlay.

Cheerfullygo4 · 23/07/2020 10:57

Finlay. Girls tend to have the -ley ending.

Okbutnotgreat · 23/07/2020 10:51

Finn is a great name by itself. Originally Norse and Gaelic It sounds strong and masculine, I much prefer it to the y ending versions.

Whatsyourflava · 23/07/2020 10:39

@Pippilangstrumpfie but even a simple name like Anne people ask "with an e at the end or not"

Katherine can also be C or K.

I wouldn't say it's a massive bind to occasionally have to specify to people whether your name is spelt with an A or E

Tavannach · 23/07/2020 10:34

Finlay

Pippilangstrumpfie · 23/07/2020 10:30

I'd just name him Fin.

A Finn is a Finnish person. Like a Swede or Dane!

sweetnosugar · 23/07/2020 10:30

Finley is how I would spell it.
Lovely name choice by the way!

emmathedilemma · 23/07/2020 10:06

It's seems to be Finlay in Scotland

GoshHashana · 23/07/2020 09:50

I would pronounce Finlay as Finn-lay, and Finley as Finn-lee.

Pippilangstrumpfie · 23/07/2020 09:31

Finlay

But I'd avoid the name altogether as he'll spend his life correcting people.

snowone · 23/07/2020 09:26

Finlay

florascotia2 · 23/07/2020 09:24

If you want to be true to the name's Gaelic origins, it should be Finlay or perhaps Findlay.
See here: www.britishbabynames.com/blog/2015/10/finlay.html

As I'm sure you know, it means 'white or fair soldier' (masculine).

Traditionally, Finlay was by far the most popular spelling in Scotland (and I think Irealnd) for several centuries, though other spellings were known. Since the name became popular in England and beyond, Finley has been increasing in popularity.

Scubalubs87 · 23/07/2020 08:02

I’m in the SE and the more common spelling here is Finley. I’ve taught a fair few. Never had a Finlay and only one Findlay.

Whatsyourflava · 23/07/2020 08:01

@MsHighwater

I disbanded. Finley is number 30 in the charts. Finlay is number 156 (and on a very steep downward trajectory so likely to be outside the top 200 by the time the 2020 stats are released)

Looking at the actual numbers themselves, there's 7 times more 'Finley's' than 'Finlay's' in the most recent statistics so in future most people are going to assume Finley with an E

On that basis I'd go for Finley so your son doesn't have to go through life correcting people ☺️

Great name by the way - love it

MrMeSeeks · 23/07/2020 07:55

Finley

Grufallosfriends · 23/07/2020 07:53

Whichever spelling you choose, he'll spend a lot of time correcting people Grin

Peachbubble · 23/07/2020 06:54

Finley

NeilTheBaby · 23/07/2020 04:01

Lay

madwoman1ntheattic · 23/07/2020 03:47

All the girls I know are Finlay or Findlay, and all the boys are Finley. I have no idea if that’s an actual thing, but it’s anecdata here. 🤷‍♀️

duletty · 23/07/2020 03:42

Finlay

MrsGilly1 · 23/07/2020 03:38

Finley X

MsHighwater · 22/07/2020 23:34

If you don't want him to have to spend his life spelling his name for everyone he meets, use Finlay.

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