Ainsley
Ainsley is a unisex name of English origin meaning “hermitage clearing.” It ranked #483 in the United States in 2025.
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how do you pronounce Ainsley?
AYNZ-lee
where does the name Ainsley come from?
A habitational surname from Annesley in Nottinghamshire or Ansley in Warwickshire, built from elements meaning hermitage or solitary and woodland or clearing.
Ainsley began as an English surname for someone from Annesley in Nottinghamshire or Ansley in Warwickshire, places named from words for a hermitage and a woodland clearing. It gained traction as a given name in the late 20th century, helped by the celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott, and is used for both boys and girls, though it has trended more feminine in recent decades.
how popular is this name?
Ainsley has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 25 years since 2001. It peaked at #332 in 2013, and ranked #483 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #483 |
| 2024 | #704 |
| 2023 | #598 |
| 2022 | #507 |
| 2021 | #364 |
| 2020 | #355 |
| 2019 | #478 |
| 2018 | #399 |
| 2017 | #352 |
| 2016 | #344 |
| 2013 | #332 |
| 2010 | #355 |
| 2001 | #483 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Ainsley fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Ainsley
Ainsley is used both as a unisex given name and as a surname.
who are famous people named Ainsley?
- Ainsley Harriott (British celebrity chef and TV presenter)
- Ainsley Earhardt (American television host)
what names are similar to Ainsley?
what names go well with Ainsley?
Sibling names that share Ainsley's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Ainsley
What does the name Ainsley mean?
Ainsley means “hermitage clearing”.
What is the origin of the name Ainsley?
Ainsley comes from the English naming tradition.
How popular is the name Ainsley?
Ainsley ranked #483 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2013, at #332, and it has spent 25 years in the top 1,000 since 2001.
Is Ainsley a boy or girl name?
Ainsley is a unisex name, used for both boys and girls.
How do you pronounce Ainsley?
Ainsley is pronounced AYNZ-lee, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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