Lindsey

Lindsey is a given name and a surname, and it also appears in place names in the United Kingdom. As a given name, Lindsey is most commonly feminine in modern usage in English-speaking countries, though it is historically unisex and exists as a variant of Lindsay.

Etymology and origins: Lindsey originates as a variant of Lindsay, a toponymic name drawn from a Scottish or English place name. The underlying place name is usually traced to Old English elements such as lind, meaning lime tree, and eg or ey, meaning island or water meadow. The name spread through families associated with the Lindsey region of Lincolnshire, England, and was later adopted as a given name in other countries.

Usage and distribution: The spelling Lindsey is widely used in the United States and other English-speaking regions, where it is predominantly female today. Lindsay, a closely related form, is also common and often preferred for girls; Lindsey remains a recognized alternative spelling for both sexes in some contexts.

Notable people: Individuals named Lindsey include guitarist Lindsey Buckingham, violinist Lindsey Stirling, American alpine skier Lindsey Vonn, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, actress Lindsey Morgan, and fashion model Lindsey Wixson. These figures illustrate the name’s cross-genre and cross-field usage.

Places and regional use: Lindsey also refers to historical and administrative areas in Lincolnshire, England, specifically East Lindsey and West Lindsey. The term reflects the once broader Lindsey region and is used in contemporary district names as well as in genealogical and historical references tied to the area.