Paisley
Paisley is a girls' name of Scottish origin meaning “Church or cemetery clearing.” It ranked #67 in the United States in 2025. Originally a place name from the town of Paisley, Scotland.
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how do you pronounce Paisley?
PAYZ-lee
where does the name Paisley come from?
From the Scottish town, whose name is generally traced to a Brittonic word related to the Latin basilica, in the sense of a church. The derivation is probable rather than certain.
The town lent its name to the famous teardrop textile pattern, giving this name a strong association with artistry and bohemian style.
how popular is this name?
Paisley has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 20 years since 2006. It peaked at #45 in 2015, and ranked #67 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #67 |
| 2024 | #61 |
| 2023 | #56 |
| 2022 | #53 |
| 2021 | #52 |
| 2020 | #49 |
| 2019 | #53 |
| 2018 | #52 |
| 2017 | #45 |
| 2016 | #46 |
| 2015 | #45 |
| 2010 | #238 |
| 2006 | #825 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Paisley fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Paisley
Paisley's weavers made the town synonymous with the teardrop pattern they copied from Kashmiri shawls in the early nineteenth century, and the design has carried the town's name ever since. The given name is recent and almost entirely American, rising sharply after 2000 with the fashion for place names and reaching the top fifty in the 2010s.
what are the nicknames and variants of Paisley?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
who are famous people named Paisley?
- Brad Paisley
what names are similar to Paisley?
what names go well with Paisley?
Sibling names that share Paisley's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Paisley
What does the name Paisley mean?
Paisley means “Church or cemetery clearing”.
What is the origin of the name Paisley?
Paisley comes from the Scottish naming tradition. Related forms include Paislee and Paizley.
How popular is the name Paisley?
Paisley ranked #67 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data.
Is Paisley a boy or girl name?
Paisley is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Paisley?
Paisley is pronounced PAYZ-lee, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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