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.
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–present. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
A surname name in the -ley set with Hadley and Kinsley.
Spelling variants
- Ainslee
- Ainsleigh
- Aynsley
Names with the same feeling
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