Ainsley

How to say it

ˈeɪnz.li

What it means

An English and Scottish surname from Old English, 'one's own meadow' or 'hermitage clearing.'

Ainsley is a surname from English place names, joining Old English roots usually read as 'one's own meadow' or 'a hermitage clearing.' Once a Scottish boys' name, it turned mainly female in America, riding the popular -ley sound with Hadley and Kinsley. Crisp and modern. Said AYNZ-lee.

How to spell Ainsley

The standard spelling is Ainsley. Common variants include Ainslee, Ainsleigh, Aynsley, but Ainsley is the most widely used form.

Heads-up notes

• Spelling

  A surname name in the -ley set with Hadley and Kinsley.

Who's worn it

• Ainsley Harriott English chef and television presenter
• Ainsley Earhardt American television host and Fox News personality

Spelling variants

• Ainslee
• Ainsleigh
• Aynsley

Names with the same feeling

• Paisley From Paisley, Scotland
• Hadley Heather meadow
• Kinsley King's meadow
• Presley Priest's meadow
• Ashley Ash-tree meadow

See Ainsley from another angle

Common questions

What does the name Ainsley mean?

An English and Scottish surname from Old English, 'one's own meadow' or 'hermitage clearing.'

What does Ainsley mean in Scottish?

In Scottish, Ainsley means "One's own meadow." Ainsley is a surname from English place names, joining Old English roots usually read as 'one's own meadow' or 'a hermitage clearing.' Once a Scottish boys' name, it turned mainly female in America, riding the popular -ley sound with Hadley and Kinsley. Crisp and modern. Said AYNZ-lee.

How do you pronounce Ainsley?

Ainsley is pronounced ˈeɪnz.li. Say it as AINS-ley, with the stress on the "ains" syllable.

How do you spell Ainsley?

The standard spelling is Ainsley. Common spelling variants include Ainslee, Ainsleigh, Aynsley.

Is Ainsley a boy or girl name?

Ainsley is traditionally a feminine name.

How popular is the name Ainsley?

Ainsley ranked #483 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.