Ly
Every Ly since 1973 — 399 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Ly
Ly is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1973, 399 American babies have been named Ly — about 70% girls and 30% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1984, when 32 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Ly stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Ly year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | 8 | #13,321 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — | 5 | #13,252 |
| 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | 5 | #17,718 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — | — | — |
| 2002 | 7 | #13,058 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | 6 | #14,247 | — | — |
| 1995 | 5 | #14,796 | — | — |
| 1990 | 11 | #7,643 | 10 | #5,238 |
| 1985 | 16 | #4,765 | 6 | #6,230 |
| 1980 | 17 | #4,434 | 7 | #5,292 |
| 1975 | 8 | #6,865 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Ly in 2025?
Ly did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Ly?
399 babies have been named Ly in the United States since 1973, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Ly most popular?
Ly peaked in 1984, when 32 newborns received the name.
Is Ly a boy or girl name?
Ly is used for both: about 70% of babies named Ly have been girls and 30% boys.
Is the name Ly rising or falling?
Ly has been roughly stable over the past decade.