Lyle
How to say it: LYLE · /ˈlaɪl/
From an Old French and Anglo-Norman surname meaning 'the island' (de l'isle). Common in Scotland and North America.
Lyle was the 944th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 211 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1920s, its births are up about 15% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #974 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #944 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 211 |
| Share of births | 1 in 15,712 |
| Peak decade | 1920s |
| Change over 10 years | +15% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #974 |
| In France, 2025 | #2,436 among boys’ names, 5 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Long past its high in the 1920s, Lyle remains in steady if modest use. Far below that peak, it is expected to ease downward.
What goes with it
One soft syllable built around l sounds. Clyde shares its spare style.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Lyle is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French.
In France: #2,436 for boys in 2025.
Famous people named Lyle
- Lyle Foster (born 2000)South African association football player
- Lyle Lovett (born 1957)American musician
- Lyle Campbell (born 1942)American Mesoamericanist
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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