Ainsley
Ainsley: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈeɪnzli/
Meaning and origin of Ainsley
Root meaning: “alone, solitary”
- A unisex given name transferred from the surname.
Etymology
Habitational surname for someone from Annesley, Nottinghamshire or Ansley, Warwickshire, both from Old English anne (“alone, solitary”) or ānsetl (“hermitage”) + lēah (“woodland, clearing”).
How popular is Ainsley?
Since 1880, 20,470 girls and 426 boys in the U.S. have been named Ainsley (98% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #332 in 2013. Its highest rank for boys was #3526 in 1987. In 2025 it ranked #483 for girls, with 629 babies given the name.
Names similar to Ainsley
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Surname girl names
Sibling name ideas for Ainsley
Sister and brother names that share Ainsley's Surname roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Ainsley FAQ
What does the name Ainsley mean?
Ainsley traces back to a root meaning "alone, solitary". A unisex given name transferred from the surname. Habitational surname for someone from Annesley, Nottinghamshire or Ansley, Warwickshire, both from Old English anne (“alone, solitary”) or ānsetl (“hermitage”) + lēah (“woodland, clearing”).
What is the origin of the name Ainsley?
Ainsley is listed as a name of Surname (transferred from a surname) origin.
How popular is the name Ainsley?
Since 1880, 20,470 girls and 426 boys in the U.S. have been named Ainsley (98% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #332 in 2013. Its highest rank for boys was #3526 in 1987. In 2025 it ranked #483 for girls, with 629 babies given the name.
Is Ainsley a boy or girl name?
Ainsley is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 20,470 girls and 426 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.