The baby name Ainsley comes from ancient surnames in England and Scotland. It is now a trendy name used for both boys and girls that is one of the most popular unisex options. As of 2022, for instance, the name is a top 600 choice.
Meaning and Origin of the Name Ainsley:
The baby name Ainsley follows the trend of unisex baby names that were once surnames. This option specifically was for families from Annesley in the region of Nottinghamshire, or Ansley in the Warwickshire area. It was not until the twenty-first century that Ainsley became a popular first name option. In Scottish, the name means “solitary meadow”.
Symbolism of the Name Ainsley:
The town names that Ainsley comes from are based on the Old English words “anne”, “ansetl”, and “leah”. “Anne” means “solitary”, “ansetl” means “hermitage”, and “leah” means “woodland”, “clearing”, or “meadow”. These meanings are probably why the Scottish meaning is “solitary meadow”.
Nicknames for the Name Ainsley:
Ainsley is a very pretty name! It has some great nicknames to go along with it. Some of them have a strong classic feel, like Annie, while others feel more modern, like Insley. Check out the full list of nicknames for Ainsley:
Style of the Name Ainsley:
Modern
Gender of the Name Ainsley:
The baby name Ainsley is used by both boys and girls.
Pronunciation of the Name Ainsley:
AYNZ-lee
Number of Syllables in the Name Ainsley:
Two
Emotion Evoked From the Name Ainsley:
Ainsley is a young and informal name. It feels kind, relatable, and approachable.
Alternative Spellings for the Name Ainsley:
- Ainslee
- Ainslie
- Aenslee
- Aensley
- Aenslie
- Aensli
- Ainsleigh
- Aensleigh
Popularity of the Name Ainsley:
The baby name Ainsley joined the top 1,000 list in 2001 at rank 492. It rose to the top 400 list in 2010 at number 355. In 2019, the name did go back to the top 500 list at number 476. As of 2022, the name has fallen out of the top 500 at rank 506, according to the Social Security Administration.
Related Names for the Name Ainsley:
Great Middle Names for Ainsley and Their Meanings:
- Jade (stone of the side)
- Paige (helper)
- Piper (pipe player, flute player)
- Brynn (hill)
- Eden (place of pleasure)
- Ellis (kind, benevolent)
- Mark (consecrated to the god Mars)
- Bryce (speckled)
Famous People with the Name Ainsley:
- Ainsley Harriott (TV chef)
- Ainsley Bennett (professional sprinter)
- Ainsley Maitland (professional soccer player)
Ainsleys in Popular Culture:
- Ainsley (character from “Pride” book)
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Angelina Tyshkovets/Shutterstock.com.