Ainsley
Ainsley is a girl's name of Scottish origin.
Meaning
One's own meadow or hermitage woodland clearing.
Origin and history
Ainsley originated as a Scottish habitational surname derived from place names in England and Scotland meaning 'one's own meadow' or 'hermitage meadow'. Originally used primarily as a surname or masculine given name, it shifted in the late 20th century to become a popular feminine name in the United States. Its steady modern usage reflects a broader trend toward soft, surname-derived girls' names.
Popularity in the United States
20,470 babies in the United States have been named Ainsley since 1880. It ranks #1048 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #468.
States where it is most popular
- TX (9.8 %)
- CA (6.6 %)
- IL (4.4 %)
- PA (4.4 %)
- VA (4.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 17 |
| 1970-1980 | 99 |
| 1980-1990 | 355 |
| 1990-2000 | 814 |
| 2000-2010 | 6,367 |
| 2010-2019 | 8,961 |
| 2020-2029 | 3,857 |
Famous people named Ainsley
- Ainsley Earhardt: Television host, Author
- Ainsley Maitland-Niles: Professional athlete
Nicknames
Ains, Lee
Fun facts
- Ainsley originally developed as a habitational surname derived from places like Annesley in Nottinghamshire, England.
- While originally a male given name and surname, Ainsley transformed into a predominantly female name in the late 20th-century U.S.