Ainsley Unisex
Origin(s)
PronunciationAYNZ-lee / /ˈeɪnzli/Scottish; English
Meaning
Scottish: meadow; English: one’s own meadow
Historical & Cultural Background
Ainsley is a name of Scottish origin, derived from a place name meaning 'meadow' or 'clearing'. It has gained popularity as a given name in English-speaking countries. The name has been used for both genders, though it is more commonly given to girls in recent years.
Trend Summary
Ainsley has seen a steady increase in popularity for girls in the United States over the past two decades.
Similar Names
Variants
- Ainsleigh
- Ainslie
International Variants
- Ainslie (Scottish)
Famous people named Ainsley
Ainsley Harriott is a British chef and television presenter known for his cookbooks and cooking shows.
Ainsley Earhardt is an American television personality and journalist, known for her work on Fox News.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder.
Ainsley Robinson is a notable Australian rugby player recognized for his contributions to the sport.
Fictional characters named Ainsley
Ainsley Hayes is a character from the television series 'The West Wing', known for her role as a lawyer.
Ainsley is a character in the video game series 'Fire Emblem', recognized for her strategic abilities.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Ainsley was first seen in the United States in 1961. Ainsley has ranked as high as #611 nationally, which occurred in 2014, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Virginia. In the past 5 years the name Ainsley has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Ainsley (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 39 | |
| NY | 20 | |
| VA | 18 | |
| CA | 16 | |
| FL | 15 | |
| MO | 15 | |
| PA | 14 | |
| OH | 13 | |
| IN | 13 | |
| NC | 12 | |
| IA | 12 | |
| WI | 12 | |
| CO | 11 | |
| NJ | 11 | |
| MA | 11 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1961 | 7 |
| 1965 | 5 |
| 1969 | 5 |
| 1970 | 7 |
| 1971 | 5 |
| 1972 | 10 |
| 1973 | 10 |
| 1974 | 5 |
| 1975 | 11 |
| 1976 | 10 |
| 1977 | 12 |
| 1978 | 13 |
| 1979 | 16 |
| 1980 | 14 |
| 1981 | 17 |
| 1982 | 23 |
| 1983 | 25 |
| 1984 | 21 |
| 1985 | 29 |
| 1986 | 39 |
| 1987 | 46 |
| 1988 | 67 |
| 1989 | 74 |
| 1990 | 84 |
| 1991 | 76 |
| 1992 | 73 |
| 1993 | 68 |
| 1994 | 61 |
| 1995 | 72 |
| 1996 | 82 |
| 1997 | 77 |
| 1998 | 112 |
| 1999 | 109 |
| 2000 | 124 |
| 2001 | 578 |
| 2002 | 636 |
| 2003 | 686 |
| 2004 | 764 |
| 2005 | 691 |
| 2006 | 693 |
| 2007 | 704 |
| 2008 | 719 |
| 2009 | 772 |
| 2010 | 898 |
| 2011 | 891 |
| 2012 | 930 |
| 2013 | 974 |
| 2014 | 1,001 |
| 2015 | 967 |
| 2016 | 969 |
| 2017 | 902 |
| 2018 | 774 |
| 2019 | 654 |
| 2020 | 872 |
| 2021 | 844 |
| 2022 | 622 |
| 2023 | 498 |
| 2024 | 397 |