Ailis Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: AY-lish //ˈeɪ.lɪʃ//
Origin: Irish; Scottish; English
Meaning: noble; light; bright
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Ailis is of Irish origin, derived from the Old French name Aalis, which is a diminutive form of the name Alice. The name Alice itself comes from the Old High German name Adalheidis, meaning 'noble kind' or 'of noble birth.' This etymological journey traces back through various languages: from Germanic roots to Old French, and eventually into the Irish context, where it has been adapted and embraced as Ailis.
Historically, the name Ailis has been associated with significant figures in Irish culture. One notable instance is the use of the name in medieval Irish literature, where it appears in various forms.
The name gained further prominence through the influence of the Normans in Ireland during the 12th century, when many Old French names were introduced. The spread of Christianity also played a role in the name's endurance, as saints and noblewomen bearing the name Alice or its variants were venerated in various regions, contributing to its lasting presence.
Culturally, Ailis embodies themes of nobility and grace, resonating with the ideals of chivalry and virtue that were prevalent in medieval society. The name has been celebrated in Irish folklore and literature, often associated with strong female characters.
Its diminutive form, Ailbhe, also carries historical significance, further enriching the cultural tapestry surrounding the name. Overall, Ailis reflects a blend of linguistic heritage and cultural significance, marking its place in the historical narrative of names within the Irish tradition.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Ailis, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Ailis was first seen in the United States in 1990.
Ailis has ranked as high as #1364 nationally, which occurred in 2017, and has been most popular in California.
In the past 5 years the name Ailis has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Ailis is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Ailis was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Ailis (2017)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Ailis.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2017 | 22 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2000 | 16 |
| 1999 | 8 |
| 1998 | 7 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 1990 | 5 |