Find out how popular the first name Lyle has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Lyle by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Lyle is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Lyle being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 190 male babies and 8 female babies born with the name Lyle.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 8 baby girls were named Lyle in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Lyle

The name Lyle originates from the Old French word "l'isle," which means "the island." It is believed to have its roots in the Middle English period, around the 13th century. The name was initially a surname given to those who lived on or near an island.

During the medieval era, the name Lyle was primarily found in areas of France and England, particularly in regions with islands or coastal areas. It is likely that the name was brought to England by Norman settlers after the Norman Conquest in 1066.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Lyle can be traced back to the 13th century in England. It was mentioned in the Hundred Rolls, a census-like record of landowners and their holdings in various counties of England.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Lyle. One of the earliest was Sir Lyle de Insula (born around 1250), an English knight who fought in the Welsh Wars under King Edward I. Another notable figure was Lyle Talbot (1902-1996), an American actor who appeared in numerous films during the Golden Age of Hollywood.

In the realm of literature, Lyle Saxby (1916-1995) was a Canadian poet and novelist known for his works exploring the Canadian wilderness. Lyle Alzado (1949-1992) was an American professional football player who achieved fame as a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL).

More recently, Lyle Lovett (born 1957) is an American singer-songwriter and actor who has won multiple Grammy Awards for his unique blend of country, folk, and blues music.

While the name Lyle may have originated as a surname, it has become a well-established given name, particularly in English-speaking countries. Its connection to islands and coastal regions has given it a sense of adventure and natural beauty, which may contribute to its enduring appeal.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Lyle was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Lyle, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!