How to say it
AINS · ley
ˈeɪnz.li
Feminine
Ainsley
One's own meadow
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.
Popularity over time
peaked at #332 in 2013, currently #483 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
A surname name in the -ley set with Hadley and Kinsley.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give 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
See Ainsley from another angle
By meaning
By style
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.