Ailey Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Ailey is an English name with roots in Old English, deriving from a word that means 'island' or 'river island'. It has evolved through various forms, including Aeg and Aileen. The name is modern and unique in perception today, with no biblical relevance. It has gained popularity recently and is associated with traits of creativity and individuality.
The name Ailey is most popular in California, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Ailey has been stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Ailey' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 23525th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4349th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 4088th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Ailey' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Ailey"
Pronunciation
/ˈeɪli/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Ailey is derived from the Old English word 'aeg', meaning 'island' or 'river island'. It is often considered a variant of the name Aileen or Eileen, which is of Irish origin.
Meaning
island; river island
Language Evolution
Aeg (Old English), Aile (Old Irish), Aileen (Irish), Ailey (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Ailey has gained popularity in the 20th and 21st centuries, often seen as a modern and unique alternative to traditional names.
Variants & Derivatives
Aileen, Eileen, Ayla
Modern Popularity & Image
Ailey is perceived as a contemporary and charming name, often associated with creativity and individuality.
Famous People
Ailey Walker, a well-known dancer and choreographer, Ailey Johnson, an influential artist
Explore More Ailey Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Ailey"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Ailey"
"Ailey" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 23525th of 27321 | 10 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 4349th of 35406 | 502 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 4088th of 30306 | 432 |
Regional Popularity of "Ailey" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Ailey" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
83.15% 4294th/5164 |
68.81% 5032nd/7313 |
58.72% 4382nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
94.54% 4242nd/4487 |
72.91% 4974th/6822 |
46.51% 2919th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Ailey"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Ailey" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.