Thoughts on the name Ainsley?

rh10264706

I have loved this name for years but can't decide if it's too out there. I get mixed reactions from people.

DaisyZH

I don't think it's out there, I know a few little Ainsleys. Personally I do not like the way this name sounds, but if you love it you should use it. I think almost every name gets mixed reactions unless it's something like Emma, Charlotte, etc. It's close to impossible to find a name everyone will like.

NLJ82

I don't think it's too out there, but personally...I just hear "Anus"

catahoulatte

I'm not a fan.

plunderb

DaisyBlinks said:

I don't like Ainsley, but I don't think it's "out there" at all. Older generations may not be familiar with it, but I imagine most people your daughter interacts with over her lifetime will be recognize it as fitting in with current trends. 

Agree.

Depending on where you live, Ainsley may be a top-150 name. It's #102 in Louisiana, #135 in Iowa, #136 in Montana, and #144 in New Hampshire. It's top-250 in another 14 states as well.

Helenahhandbasket

It's fine and not strange to me, I just don't like it.

aprilbaby2014

I like it but dont love it .

WestIsleFlower

aprilbaby2014 said:

I like it but dont love it .

+1

katib77

Any fan of the show The West Wing will love it! (me included), I met a little Ainsley a few years ago and made that comment and the mother laughed and said that is where they got the name.

Belle3184

It's just okay to me. I don't love it, but I don't hate it. I don't think it's "too out there".

saham07

I don't like it at all, but it isn't horrible. Sounds like the perpetual 4year old! Hard to imagine on a serious adult.

WashingtonQueen

I hate it. I really don't "get" this name.

Paigeleeann25

I like it!

neverblushed

NMS, but I don't dislike it.  The owner of the restaurant where I worked the summer after college had a daughter named Ainsley, and we had a fancy grilled-cheese sandwich on the menu named after her.  The kid was a spoiled brat, but the sandwich was delicious!

jf198400

NMS, it sounds too pretentious to me. I just think of some old British dude like Lord Ainsley.

pnutg

I know an Ainsley but I'm not a huge fan.

ashiscute

I agree that it's not out there.  Older generations might not be familiar with it but it's fairly well known for your LO's generation.  I do not like this name at all.  I do not see any appeal to it.  

kelley72

I;m another not finding it too out there but also not a fan, there are just so many beautiful names I can't imagine choosing that one.

tahloulah10

NMS. I don't like the way the syllables sound so close together. It seems awkward to me.

Jerzee17

When I hear this name it makes me feel like the first letter is missing. Like I automatically want to say Tainsley, Painsley, Gainsley etc. I have no idea why.

RebeccaS6627

Not a fan.

LovetoLive614

Yep all I hear is anus/anal.

rh10264706

Hahaha that is my fear! The association with anus. I think I will probably stick with Anna if we have a girl. Our son's name is William.

tugglek23

You could drop the "I" and go with Ansley. I grew up with an Ansley.

magsugar13

There is a lubricant called ANAL EASE thats all i can think about every time i hear this name.

capulet

rh10264706 said:

Hahaha that is my fear! The association with anus. I think I will probably stick with Anna if we have a girl. Our son's name is William.

I love Anna and I think it goes with a classic name like William much better than Ainsley does.

macchiatto

It's trendy and to me it's too last-namey (I have friends with that surname). NMS at all.

macchiatto

rh10264706 said:

Hahaha that is my fear! The association with anus. I think I will probably stick with Anna if we have a girl. Our son's name is William.

I think Anna goes a lot better with William than Ainsley does.

[Deleted User]

I'm the oddball out here because it's been a family name since my great great grandmother in Scotland. It's been paired with Jessica as a sort of double first name in various forms, too. Originally Jessica Ainsley, Jessie Ainsley (a few), and my sister got Jesanne. I love it!

JMU_Bride09

I like it and actually don't get the "anus" reference. I do agree with pp that it is a trendy name that will be recognized by most, so not too out there.