MallowbyNames

Paisley

PAYZ-lee · A Scottish place name of debated derivation, generally thought to come from a word meaning "church," and familiar as the name of the teardrop-patterned textile.

2025 rank (girls)
#67
Babies named in 2025
3,508
Peak popularity
2017
2025 frequency
1 in 458 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Declining since 2016

Declining since 2016, #67 for girls today.

Popularity of Paisley since 1966

Babies named Paisley per year in U.S. Social Security records.

1.7k3.4k5.1k198020002020Most births 2015Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1960s25
1970s57
1980s156
1990s654
2000s3,349
2010s37,582
2020s23,546

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.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k girlstoo few 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

Variants: Paislee, Paisleigh, Paizley

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.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

P is for Paisley, our favorite little girl.

P is for Paisley…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Paisley's letter becomes Paisley's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Paisley's book

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Questions parents ask

What does Paisley mean?
Paisley is a Scottish town name of debated origin, generally thought to derive from a word meaning "church." The swirling textile pattern is named for the town, which wove the shawls in the 19th century.
How popular is Paisley?
Paisley ranked No. 67 for girls in 2025, given to about one in every 458 newborn girls. It peaked in 2017 and has been easing downward since 2016.
Is Paisley a girl's or boy's name?
In American use Paisley is given almost entirely to girls, despite its origins as a unisex Scottish surname and place name.
Is Paisley too trendy?
It is a distinctly 21st-century choice: essentially unused before 1966, booming in the 2010s, and now sliding gently from its 2017 peak. Parents who want a name without a strong generational stamp may prefer something with a longer track record.