Finlay is the Scottish form of the Gaelic Fionnlagh, from fionn, white or fair, and laoch, warrior, so it means "fair warrior" or "fair-haired hero"; Macbeth's father in Scottish history bore the name. The spelling Finlay is the traditional Scottish one, while Finley has become the American favorite for both sexes. In the United States Finlay ranked number 3969 in 2000, peaked at number 2154 in 2015 and was given to 50 boys in 2025, placing it at number 2614.