Lyle is a masculine given name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish surname Lyall, which itself comes from the Old Norse personal name Leifr, meaning "heir" or "descendant." The name was likely brought to Scotland by Viking settlers during the medieval period.
The name Lyle has been used as a given name since at least the 17th century. It gained popularity in English-speaking countries during the Victorian era and has remained a popular choice for parents ever since. Some notable individuals with the name Lyle include American actors Lyle Waggoner and Lyle Lovett, as well as Canadian ice hockey player Lyle Odelein.
Overall, Lyle is a strong and distinctive masculine given name with a rich history and an attractive sound. Its meaning, "heir" or "descendant," adds to its appeal, suggesting strength, continuity, and lineage. While it may not be one of the most commonly used names today, it remains a timeless and elegant choice for parents looking for something unique yet classic.
The name Lyle experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years. In its early years, from 1880 to 1909, it had a steady increase with births ranging from 7 to 117. However, starting from 1912, there was a dramatic surge, peaking at 325 births in 1912 and reaching an all-time high of 1055 births in 1922.
After the peak, Lyle's popularity began to decline steadily. By 1964, it had fallen to just 455 births, and this downward trend continued through the late 1970s and into the 1980s, with fewer than 300 births per year.
The name experienced a slight resurgence in popularity from 1986 to 1990, but it was short-lived. From 1991 onwards, Lyle's popularity continued to decline, reaching its lowest point in recent years with only 79 births in 2004. Since then, the number of births has fluctuated between 78 and 234 per year.
In total, there have been 58,757 births with the name Lyle from 1880 to 2023.