Ainsley
Habitational surname for someone from Annesley, Nottinghamshire or Ansley, Warwickshire, both from Old English anne (“alone, solitary”) or ānsetl (“hermitage”) + lēah…
Every Ainsley since 1950 — 20,896 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Ainsley
Ainsley is moderately common for girls in the United States, ranked #483 in 2025 with 621 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1950, 20,896 American babies have been named Ainsley. Its peak came in 2014, when 1,013 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Ainsley stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Ainsley year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 621 | #483 | 8 | #8,935 |
| 2024 | 399 | #704 | — | — |
| 2023 | 498 | #598 | 9 | #8,285 |
| 2022 | 622 | #507 | 11 | #7,281 |
| 2021 | 845 | #364 | 9 | #8,188 |
| 2020 | 872 | #355 | 10 | #7,515 |
| 2019 | 654 | #478 | — | — |
| 2018 | 774 | #399 | 6 | #10,806 |
| 2017 | 902 | #352 | 11 | #7,107 |
| 2016 | 970 | #344 | 14 | #6,059 |
| 2015 | 967 | #338 | 17 | #5,296 |
| 2014 | 1,001 | #337 | 12 | #6,642 |
| 2013 | 974 | #332 | 11 | #7,037 |
| 2012 | 930 | #341 | 15 | #5,726 |
| 2011 | 891 | #363 | 14 | #5,956 |
| 2010 | 898 | #355 | 5 | #12,288 |
| 2009 | 772 | #412 | 8 | #9,010 |
| 2008 | 719 | #443 | 15 | #5,771 |
| 2007 | 704 | #458 | 7 | #9,807 |
| 2006 | 693 | #456 | 8 | #8,749 |
| 2005 | 691 | #440 | 7 | #9,138 |
| 2004 | 764 | #399 | 14 | #5,498 |
| 2003 | 686 | #437 | 11 | #6,265 |
| 2002 | 636 | #454 | 10 | #6,536 |
| 2001 | 578 | #483 | 12 | #5,676 |
| 2000 | 124 | #1,481 | 5 | #10,397 |
| 1995 | 72 | #1,920 | 6 | #7,815 |
| 1990 | 84 | #1,735 | 7 | #6,425 |
| 1985 | 29 | #3,085 | 6 | #5,795 |
| 1980 | 14 | #4,979 | 7 | #4,946 |
| 1975 | 11 | #5,164 | 5 | #5,476 |
| 1970 | 7 | #6,371 | — | — |
| 1965 | 5 | #6,546 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | 5 | #3,693 |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Ainsley
- Ainsley Maitland-Niles Soccer player · b. 1997
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ainsley mean?
Habitational surname for someone from Annesley, Nottinghamshire or Ansley, Warwickshire, both from Old English anne (“alone, solitary”) or ānsetl (“hermitage”) + lēah (“woodland, clearing”).
How popular is the name Ainsley in 2025?
Ainsley ranked #483 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 621 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Ainsley?
20,896 babies have been named Ainsley in the United States since 1950, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Ainsley most popular?
Ainsley peaked in 2014, when 1,013 newborns received the name.
Is Ainsley a boy or girl name?
Ainsley is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 98% of babies with the name.
Is the name Ainsley rising or falling?
Ainsley is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Ainsley?
Well-known people named Ainsley include Ainsley Maitland-Niles (soccer player).