Ainsley

Updated: September 23, 2021 by MomsWhoThink Staff

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 2020, for instance, the name is a top 400 choice.

Meaning of the name Ainsley:

English: person from Annesley or Ansley in England
Scottish: solitary meadow

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.

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.”

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

Nicknames for the name Ainsley:

Annie
Lee
Ainz
Ains

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 2020, however, Ainsley is a top 400 name again at rank 354.