Declining since 2016, #67 for girls today.
Popularity of Paisley since 1966
Babies named Paisley per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 25 |
| 1970s | 57 |
| 1980s | 156 |
| 1990s | 654 |
| 2000s | 3,349 |
| 2010s | 37,582 |
| 2020s | 23,546 |
Meaning & origin
Paisley is a place before it is a person: a Scottish weaving town whose shawl pattern became a household word, and whose name American parents rediscovered as a first name in the era of Harper and Kinsley. It registered in the federal data for the first time in 1966, spent decades in obscurity, then rode the 2010s surname-name wave, with an assist from country star Brad Paisley, to a peak in 2017.
The crest has passed. Declining since 2016, Paisley ranked No. 67 for girls in 2025, when about one in every 458 newborn girls received it. That still makes it a common playground name, but the direction of travel is clearly downward, the usual afterlife of a fast riser once its sound saturates.
Its geography tells the same story as its style: strongest in West Virginia, Wyoming, and North Dakota, the rural and country-music heartland where the -lee sound has been most at home. Families drawn to its bounce but wary of its trajectory sometimes reach instead for Quinn or Scarlett, which share the spirit with less of a timestamp.
Before it was a first name, Paisley was a town in Renfrewshire, Scotland. The place name is usually traced to a Brittonic word for "church", possibly borrowed, via Latin basilica, from Greek basilikē, though the derivation is debated. The town's 19th-century weaving industry mass-produced shawls in a Kashmiri teardrop motif that the English-speaking world came to call paisley, and it is the fabric, more than the geography, that most Americans hear in the name. As a given name Paisley is essentially American and recent: it first appears in Social Security records in 1966 and stayed rare until the 2000s, when the taste for surname-style girls' names with a bright -lee ending (Harper, Kinsley, Everly), along with the visibility of country singer Brad Paisley, carried it into the mainstream.
Where Paisley is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Paisley” around the world
Where Paisley lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
4
babies in 2025
New Zealand
13
babies in 2025
Quebec
6
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Paise, Lee
Sibling names for Paisley
Names that share Paisley's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Harper, Scarlett, Quinn, Raelyn, Adalynn, Mckenzie, Raelynn, Adalyn, Addilyn, Addisyn, Adelynn, Adley, Ainslee, Aubree, Aubrie, Averi, Braylee, Braylynn, Briley, Brinley, Bryleigh, Carsyn, Charlee, Charleigh, Emmalyn, Everleigh, Finley, Gracelyn, Gracelynn, Hadlee, Haisley, Harlee, Harleigh, Henley, Jaylah, Jaylee, Karleigh, Kaydence, Kenadee, Kenley, Kensley, Kinley, Kinsley, Kynlee, Laken, Madelynn, Maelyn, Marlee, Marleigh, Paityn, Presley, Tenley, Tinley, Wrenley, Zaylee, Aaralyn, Adaleigh, Addalyn, Addelyn, Addilynn, Adilyn, Adilynn, Adleigh, Anniston, Annistyn, Ansleigh, Arlee, Atley, Aubreigh, Bexley, Blakelee, Blakelyn, Brailyn, Brayleigh, Braylyn, Brylie, Brynleigh, Calleigh, Dawsyn, Emmersyn, Emrie, Emry, Ensley, Fallyn, Finlee, Gracey, Graycen, Hadleigh, Haidyn, Harli, Harlyn, Harlynn, Hartley, Havyn, Hayven, Hensley, Hudsyn, Jentry, Kaisley, Karrington, Kenlee, Kenleigh, Kenzlee, Kenzley, Keylin, Kinlee, Kinleigh, Kinsleigh, Kinzlee, Kinzley, Lainee, Lakelyn, Lakelynn, Layken, Londynn, Maddilyn, Maelee, Maylin, Maysen, Mylee, Mylie, Oakleigh, Paisleigh, Presleigh, Preslie, Pyper, Raelee, Raylee, Rayleigh, Renley, Rhylee, Rileigh, Rilynn, Rylei, Rylynn, Scotlyn, Skylynn, Taylee, Tinsley, Wrenlee, Acelyn, Adali, Addelynn, Addysen, Ainsleigh, Aisley, Alleigh, Ambree, Anistyn, Annsley, Arleigh, Asley, Aubrea, Avaree, Averly, Avrey, Azlyn, Bentleigh, Berkleigh, Bexlee, Blakelynn, Blakley, Braeleigh, Brailee, Brailey, Brailynn, Braleigh, Braylie, Brecklyn, Breckyn, Breleigh, Brenlee, Brexley, Brinnley, Brixley, Bryley, Brylynn, Brynli, Brynlie, Brynnleigh, Brynnley, Callyn, Cambry, Darlin, Elleigh, Ellisyn, Ellory, Ellyson, Embry, Emerly, Emersen, Emersynn, Emree, Emri, Emsley, Everlynn, Gracelynne, Graceyn, Graycie, Greenlee, Hadlie, Hailyn, Haizlee, Haizley, Harlei, Harlym, Haylen, Hazely, Hazelynn, Henlee, Henleigh, Jadelynn, Jailee, Jaley, Jarely, Jaylinn, Jensyn, Jersie, Jerzi, Kambri, Kambry, Kamree, Karsynn, Kashlynn, Kaylanie, Keili, Kenlie, Kenly, Kensleigh, Kensli, Kenzington, Kerrington, Kherington, Kinzey, Kinzleigh, Kloie, Kolbi, Kynley, Kynli, Kynlie, Kynsley, Kynslie, Lakynn, Landree, Landrie, Laycee, Laykin, Lennyn, Lezly, Locklyn, Londen, Lynnlee, Mackynzie, Madasyn, Maddilynn, Maddyx, Maeleigh, Maelie, Maely, Maesyn, Mailen, Maisley, Maizee, Makinlee, Makynlee, Mavery, Mayleigh, Maylie, Mckenzy, Mckynlee, Myleigh, Nashley, Nashly, Oaklie, Paeton, Paiten, Paytin, Pressley, Quinnley, Raedyn, Railey, Railynn, Raylie, Raylyn, Rhyleigh, Rhylie, Rylann, Rylea, Ryli, Rylyn, Scotlynn, Scottlyn, Skylan, Skyleigh, Talley, Tatumn, Tayleigh, Tyleigh, Waylynn, Weslie, Weslyn, Weslynn, Westlyn, Wrenly, Zaelynn, Zailey, Zaylynn, Adaley, Adalynne, Addalynn, Adely, Adilee, Aftyn, Aizlyn, Aizlynn, Andersyn, Annsleigh, Aslynn, Atleigh, Austynn, Avalynne, Avereigh, Averleigh, Bailea, Bailei, Baili, Bailyn, Bailynn, Bentli, Bentlie, Berlynn, Blakeley, Braelee, Braley, Brayley, Brealyn, Brecklynn, Breelynn, Brenleigh, Brenley, Breslyn, Brexlee, Brielynn, Brinleigh, Brinly, Brooklee, Brylei, Bryndle, Brynlea, Brynlynn, Burkley, Caydance, Chaylee, Chesnee, Cyleigh, Daily, Dashley, Declynn, Eisley, Emaree, Embrie, Emoree, Emrey, Emryn, Enslee, Enzley, Evaleigh, Everley, Graylynn, Greenleigh, Greenly, Haely, Halyn, Harlowe, Harly, Hartlyn, Hazelyn, Hazlee, Jaeleigh, Jailey, Jaisley, Jalie, Jamisyn, Jasalyn, Jaycelyn, Jayleah, Jaylei, Jazelyn, Jazzlynn, Jentri, Jernee, Jersei, Jhream, Jurnie, Kadience, Karlei, Kaybree, Kaylanni, Kelbie, Kenlei, Kensly, Kentley, Kenzee, Kenzli, Kenzly, Keyleigh, Khyleigh, Kylinn, Kynadi, Kynlei, Kynslei, Kynzi, Kynzie, Kynzley, Laekyn, Laelynn, Laiklynn, Laikynn, Lakely, Layney, Linzee, Lundyn, Lynley, Lynnix, Lynnleigh, Mabrey, Madyn, Maicee, Makaylynn, Makenlee, Makenzye, Makinzi, Makynli, Makynzi, Matalyn, Mayley, Mayzee, Mayzie, Mckinsley, Mckinzee, Meilyn, Merly, Paisly, Paislyn, Paislynn, Paysen, Peytin, Quinnlyn, Raegyn, Raeleigh, Raeley, Raylea, Rayley, Raynie, Reigan, Reighlynn, Reilynn, Remingtyn, Rhilynn, Rielyn, Rielynn, Rilie, Ryelynn, Rynleigh, Shayley, Suttyn, Taisley, Tenlee, Tensley, Wesleigh, Winsley, Yardley, Zailee, Zaley, Aubria, Brayli, Brinsley, Britley, Cashlynn, Chaselyn, Edynn, Emeryn, Fayelynn, Gracynn, Hadli, Haivyn, Hollynn, Karcyn, Kenlynn, Kennley, Kensy, Lakeyn, Madlynn, Mckenleigh, Mckinzey, Ralyn, Yazlynn, Addaleigh, Addalie, Addalynne, Addasyn, Addilyne, Addylin, Addylynn, Adilynne, Adisen, Aizley, Alonnie, Andilyn, Annleigh, Anzlee, Ashelyn, Asly, Audyn, Aunisty, Avarey, Avenly, Aynslee, Azalynn, Baeleigh, Baelynn, Baxley, Baylynn, Bexlie, Braeley, Braileigh, Breeley, Breely, Brenlynn, Brennley, Brezlyn, Brielyn, Brightyn, Brindley, Brinlynn, Bristyl, Bristyn, Britlyn, Brixtyn, Brycelynn, Bryli, Brynlei, Brynlyn, Brynnly, Burklee, Caisley, Cambrey, Chaslyn, Chazlyn, Chezney, Conleigh, Copelynn, Dallys, Darely, Dashly, Dayli, Deslyn, Dynastee, Ellason, Emerlee, Emmry, Enslie, Eslie, Everliegh, Graclyn, Graclynn, Graylee, Greidy, Greysi, Hadlyn, Haelee, Haizleigh, Halstyn, Harlea, Hasley, Haylyn, Hinley, Ileigh, Jaicey, Jaileigh, Jaislyn, Jakenzie, Jaysie, Jhersi, Joellie, Journeii, Jovee, Jozey, Jurnei, Jurney, Kaicee, Kaislynn, Kaizley, Kamdynn, Karington, Kaydynce, Kennison, Kenslie, Kenzlei, Kerly, Kesleigh, Keslyn, Khailee, Kharlie, Khilee, Kinnley, Kinsie, Kinslei, Kinsly, Kinze, Kinzi, Kinzlie, Kinzly, Kopelyn, Kopelynn, Kynadee, Kynlea, Kynzleigh, Kynzli, Laelyn, Laityn, Lakenzie, Layci, Leddy, Lindyn, Lynnley, Maddalynn, Maevery, Maicy, Mairely, Maislyn, Maizley, Makenley, Makenly, Makinzy, Mattisyn, Maybrie, Mayella, Mckynlie, Mialynn, Mosley, Pailyn, Pailynn, Palyn, Peni, Preslea, Preslei, Presly, Preslyn, Preslynn, Quinnly, Raylei, Realynn, Reylin, Reylynn, Rhaelynn, Rhilee, Rhylei, Rhylynn, Rinley, Rocklyn, Ryeleigh, Ryleah, Rylynne, Skyelyn, Taitum, Tayli, Tinsleigh, Tinzley, Tynleigh, Westlynn, Xaylee, Yaslyn, Yorley, Zaileigh, Zaylei
Brothers: Easton, Colton, Ryker, Bentley, Braxton, Jace, Greyson, Jase, Jaxson, Brantley, Braxten, Braylen, Braylon, Brentley, Brycen, Camdyn, Cannon, Casen, Cayson, Draven, Eastyn, Finnley, Fischer, Jamison, Jaxton, Kacen, Kade, Kaison, Kamden, Kannon, Karter, Kashton, Kaysen, Kayson, Kyson, Lawson, Layton, Zaiden, Aayden, Baylen, Bentlee, Braxtyn, Braylin, Brexton, Broden, Bryer, Brysen, Cashton, Cayde, Coleson, Coltin, Coltyn, Gatlin, Graysen, Huntley, Jaxtyn, Jettson, Kaisen, Kasyn, Kolson, Kreed, Krew, Kross, Kylin, Kysen, Maddix, Masyn, Raylen, Ryatt, Rylen, Treyson, Waylen, Zaidyn, Aaiden, Aaric, Arrington, Aycen, Beckam, Blayden, Bodey, Braelin, Braidyn, Braxon, Braxtin, Braydin, Braysen, Brekken, Brentlee, Breydon, Brydon, Brylen, Caedon, Caedyn, Caisen, Casyn, Chozyn, Daylyn, Dayson, Declyn, Drayson, Dreyden, Dreyson, Graeson, Haydin, Hesston, Holdyn, Jaxston, Jaxsyn, Jaxten, Jaxtin, Kaeson, Kaesyn, Kaid, Kanen, Kaston, Kayler, Kaysin, Keyden, Khylen, Khylin, Khyson, Kingsten, Kingstyn, Kohlton, Kolsen, Koltyn, Kutter, Kyland, Kyngston, Kyzen, Linken, Madix, Maeson, Maisen, Maverik, Neyland, Paxtyn, Prestin, Raidyn, Rawley, Reyli, Rhyatt, Rhyker, Rigby, Riggin, Rustyn, Taiden, Taysom, Wacey, Witten, Zadyn, Zaxton, Zaydin, Zaydon, Axten, Aydenn, Bayden, Bladen, Blayton, Braelen, Braeson, Brailen, Braison, Bransyn, Brantly, Braxden, Braxson, Braxston, Brayon, Brayten, Brevyn, Breydan, Breylen, Breylin, Breyson, Breyton, Brodyn, Bryceton, Brycin, Bryor, Casten, Caydan, Caysen, Chaseton, Chayden, Clayson, Clayten, Colsyn, Dalten, Daltyn, Daxson, Daxtin, Dayden, Deyton, Draden, Draiden, Draylen, Drelyn, Gatlyn, Graylen, Hayzen, Jakaden, Jamason, Jamesyn, Jaston, Jaxsin, Jaydence, Jayland, Jhace, Kaicen, Kaide, Kailand, Kanden, Kannen, Karder, Kashden, Kashten, Kaydan, Kayzen, Keylan, Kolston, Koltan, Koston, Krosby, Kycen, Kyliam, Kyzier, Landynn, Lawsen, Laythan, Leelyn, Linkyn, Luxton, Macklen, Nayden, Paiden, Paxten, Presten, Rayder, Reyden, Rhyland, Rhylen, Ryson, Taysen, Traxton, Treysen, Tyden, Tyland, Waylyn, Weylyn, Woodley, Zyden, Zyler, Briggston, Castin, Greysin, Kaiyden, Kaulder, Aidenjames, Axtyn, Aydden, Aydien, Beckhem, Blaiden, Bralin, Branston, Brason, Braxdon, Braxen, Braxley, Brayln, Brexten, Brinson, Brixten, Brode, Brylin, Brysun, Brysyn, Bryten, Carmichael, Cashten, Chaynce, Chaysen, Coalton, Coben, Cyson, Dashton, Daxen, Daxten, Daysen, Deklen, Draydon, Finnlee, Graisyn, Graysin, Graysyn, Grayton, Greylan, Greysyn, Hayston, Huckson, Jaece, Jayten, Kadden, Kartel, Kashus, Kaydenn, Kaysyn, Kayven, Keaden, Keylen, Kholton, Khylon, Khysen, Kincade, Klayten, Knightly, Knoxton, Koben, Kohlson, Kollen, Kolsyn, Laydon, Lyncoln, Maxten, Maxtyn, Maycen, Maysin, Okley, Piercen, Rykin, Rylend, Taedyn, Taelin, Traycen, Treylan, Treylen, Treyten, Trinten, Truen, Waelyn, Wensley, Xhaiden, Yandell
Names like Paisley
Names whose popularity has moved with Paisley's over the last 50 years.

