"island of Alfsigr (Norse personal name)"
Origin: Old Norse via Scottish Gaelic
Language: English
Ailsa
Pronunciation: [ AYLS-uh ]
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Named for a legendary Scottish island
Scottish
Norse
English
Earthy
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Unique
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Meaning & Origin
"elf victory"
Origin: Old Norse
Language: English
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The Story of Ailsa
Ailsa is a Scottish name derived from Ailsa Craig, a dramatic granite island in the Firth of Clyde off the Ayrshire coast. The island name likely comes from Old Norse elements possibly meaning Alfsigesey, meaning the island of Alfsigr, a Norse personal name. The island itself is famous for providing granite for curling stones.
Ailsa is a classic Scottish given name that has remained in quiet use for generations in Scotland and among Scottish diaspora. It has never been a mainstream English name, which gives it a distinctive Celtic character.
Ailsa Craig is a beloved landmark of the Scottish west coast, and the name evokes the wild, windswept beauty of that landscape. In Scottish culture, place names as personal names carry deep local pride.
Historical Record
Ailsa first appeared in US Social Security records in 1967.
Over 512 babies have been named Ailsa in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ailsa is past its peak , currently ranked #68,514 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Ailsa Craig island provides most of the world supply of granite used to make curling stones for the Olympics
- The island is a wildlife sanctuary home to over 36,000 gannets
Ailsa in Other Languages
Irish
Ailish
Norse
Alfsigsey
Scottish Gaelic
Ailsa
Popularity Over Time
#68,514
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1971
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ailsa
A
Ailsa Chang
Other
1974
American journalist and co-host of NPR All Things Considered
A
Ailsa Hamilton Fictional
Other
A character in the long-running Australian soap opera Home and Away, central to the show for many years
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Compare Ailsa with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #68,514
- Total SSA Count
- 5
- Cultural Origins
- Scottish Norse English
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Ails
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Scottish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ailsa
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ailsa
What does the name Ailsa mean?
"island of Alfsigr (Norse personal name)" (from Old Norse via Scottish Gaelic). "elf victory" (from Old Norse). Ailsa is a Scottish name derived from Ailsa Craig, a dramatic granite island in the Firth of Clyde off the Ayrshire coast. The island name likely comes from Old Norse elements possibly meaning Alfsigesey, meaning the island of Alfsigr, a Norse personal name. The island itself is famous for providing granite for curling stones.
What is the origin of the name Ailsa?
Ailsa has Old Norse via Scottish Gaelic, Old Norse, Scottish, Norse, and English origins. In Old Norse via Scottish Gaelic, it means "island of Alfsigr (Norse personal name)". In Old Norse, it means "elf victory".
Is Ailsa a boy or girl name?
Ailsa is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Ailsa?
Ailsa is pronounced AYLS-uh.
How popular is the name Ailsa?
Ailsa is currently ranked #68514 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ailsa?
Common nicknames for Ailsa include Ails.
What are good middle names for Ailsa?
Popular middle name pairings include Ailsa Rose, Ailsa Jean, Ailsa Fern, Ailsa Brae, and Ailsa Kate.
What are good sibling names for Ailsa?
Names that pair well with Ailsa as siblings include Isla, Fiona, Catriona, Hamish, and Ewan.
How many syllables does Ailsa have?
Ailsa has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Ailsa a common or rare name?
Ailsa is an uncommon name, ranked #68514 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Ailsa
Ailsa is a girl name with Scottish, Norse, and English origins . The name means "island of Alfsigr (Norse personal name)" in Old Norse via Scottish Gaelic .
Ailsa is currently ranked #68,514 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Ailsa has 2 syllables and is pronounced AYLS-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Ailsa include Ails. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis