Lindley is an uncommon yet captivating given name of English origin, derived from the Old English word 'hlyne' meaning 'shining,' 'clear,' or 'bright.' It was traditionally a surname before evolving into a first name in the 19th century. The name Lindley is associated with the town of Lindley near Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England.
The name Lindley experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a notable peak in recent times. From just five births per year between 1943 and 1965, there was a substantial increase to eight births in 1976 and ten births in 1978, suggesting growing favor for the name during this period. The trend continued into the late 1970s and early 1980s, with a peak of fourteen births in 1981.
However, popularity declined thereafter, falling to as low as eight births per year between 1986 and 1995. It remained relatively stable until the late 1990s, when it began to rise again, reaching double digits each year from 2003 onwards. The most recent data shows a continued popularity of the name Lindley, with thirty births in 2022 and twenty-one in 2021, indicating that while its popularity has fluctuated over time, it remains a favored choice today.