What does Ainsley mean?

Ainsley as a boys' name (also used more regularly as girls' name Ainsley) is of Old English origin, and the meaning of Ainsley is "only hermitage wood or clearing". Originally a place name: either Annesley or Ansley. Also transferred use of the Scottish surname Ainslie, which is borne by a powerful family long established in Scotland. The name is used for both sexes.

STARTS/ENDS WITH Ai-, -ley

ASSOCIATED WITH old english, wood (tree), clearing (meadow), surname, powerful

Variations

VARIANTS Ainslee, Ainsleigh, Ainslie, Ansley, Aynslee, Aynsley, Aynslie

ALTERNATIVE FORMS VIA AINSLIE, ANSLEY Ainslea, Ainsly, Annslea, Annsley, Anslea, Anslie, Ansly

FEMININE FORM Ansley

How popular is Ainsley?

Ainsley is an uncommonly occurring first name for males but a very prominent last name for both adults and children (#32609 out of 150436, Top 22%). (2000 U.S. CENSUS)

Similar Names

Ainsley is alike in pronunciation to Winslow. Other suggested similar-sounding names are Ackley, Adley, Adney, Aimerey, Aindrea, Alley, Andrey, Anse, Ansel, Ardley, Ardsley, Ardsly (see Ardley), Arley, Arney, Asheley (see Ashley), Ashley▼, Atley, Attley, Audley, Beasley, Bentley, Birkley, Birley, Bosley, Brindley, Brinley, Chesley, Conley, Crosley, Denley, Dunley, Dunnley (see Dunley), Findley, Finley▲, Finndley (see Finlay), Finnley▲, Gilley, Grimsley, Handley, Hanley, Henley, Horsley, Huntley, Kenley, Kiley, Kingsley▲, Kinney, Kinsey, Kinslea, Kinslee, Kinsley, Kinsly, Kirkley, Langley, Lesley, Lindley, Lindsey▼, Linley, Linsey, Lynley, Manley, Paisley, Penley, Pennley, Presley, Ransley, Ridley, Riley, Ripley, Risley, Wesley▲, Wessley, Willey and Wrisley. These names tend to be more commonly used than Ainsley.