Paisley
Paisley: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈpeɪzli/
Meaning and origin of Paisley
Root meaning: “pasture”
- A unisex given name from the surname.
Etymology
From Scottish Gaelic Pàislig (“pasture”). Despite occasional respellings such as Paisleigh, this word does not etymologically contain the suffix -ley/-leigh.
How popular is Paisley?
Since 1880, 65,369 girls and 87 boys in the U.S. have been named Paisley (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #45 in 2015. Its highest rank for boys was #7000 in 2017. In 2025 it ranked #67 for girls, with 3,513 babies given the name.
Names similar to Paisley
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Scottish girl names
Sibling name ideas for Paisley
Sister and brother names that share Paisley's Scottish roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Paisley FAQ
What does the name Paisley mean?
Paisley traces back to a root meaning "pasture". A unisex given name from the surname. From Scottish Gaelic Pàislig (“pasture”). Despite occasional respellings such as Paisleigh, this word does not etymologically contain the suffix -ley/-leigh.
What is the origin of the name Paisley?
Paisley is listed as a name of Scottish origin.
How popular is the name Paisley?
Since 1880, 65,369 girls and 87 boys in the U.S. have been named Paisley (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #45 in 2015. Its highest rank for boys was #7000 in 2017. In 2025 it ranked #67 for girls, with 3,513 babies given the name.
Is Paisley a boy or girl name?
Paisley is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 65,369 girls and 87 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.