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Ailsa

Girl name · 1,800 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Ailsa: 1,800 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 52 births in 1990.

Takingits name from the iconic Ailsa Craig, the rocky island in the Firth of Clyde, Ailsa is a Scottish name whose exact meaning remains uncertain, possibly derived from Old Norse or Gaelic roots. Though not borne by many historical figures, it gained literary recognition through the character Ailsa Gray in O. Douglass's 1904 novel *Olivia*. The island itself, often called "Paddy's Milestone," is famous for supplying the granite used to make curling stones. Ailsa has enjoyed steady popularity in Scotland and is sometimes considered a nature-inspired variant of Elsa or Alice, offering a distinctly Scottish twist on

Girl 52 of 52 years

Peak year
199052 babies
Latest (2025)
#14031 babies
Total births
1,800since 1974
5-year trend
▼ 9%vs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 1990 · 52
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).