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Home β€Ί Baby Names Directory β€Ί Ailey

Ailey

♀ Girl

Pronounced AY-lee /ˈeΙͺ.li/High

Meaning: From the Irish Aily (a form of Eileen/Helen, 'light'); also echoes Bailey ('a steward'); routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Light and modern: Ailey echoes the Irish Eileen ('light') and Bailey. Soft, crisp, and warm.
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Origin LowIrish, American
MeaningFrom the Irish Aily (a form of Eileen/Helen, 'light'); also echoes Bailey ('a steward'); routes layered
U.S. rank (2025)#5104 β†— Rising
2025 U.S. births25 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2008
Total births (all-time)β‰ˆ 969

Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data

peak 200819922025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Ailey comes from the Irish Aily β€” a pet form of Eileen/Aileen (linked to Helen, 'light, shining') β€” and also echoes the surname Bailey, 'a steward; an outer castle wall' (routes layered, which we note). A soft, crisp, modern name (the choreographer Alvin Ailey gives it gravitas); said 'AY-lee'.

It registers thinly in records. Rare, light at the (likely) root, and crisp.

Did you know? Ailey ties to the Irish Aily (a form of Eileen/Helen, 'light, shining') and echoes Bailey β€” a soft, crisp modern name (choreographer Alvin Ailey echoes it; the routes are layered, which we note).
Overall data confidence 50%
References β€” Ailey β€” routes layered

Variations

AilyAileeAylee

Nicknames

β€”

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Ailey…

Baileyβ€” a name it echoes
Haileyβ€” a fellow -ailey girls' name
Kayleyβ€” a companion -ley girls' name
Aileeβ€” a fellow Ail- girls' name

Explore names like Ailey

By themeuncertainamericanirish
By meaningLight

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Ailey mean?

Ailey ties to the Irish Eileen ('light') and echoes Bailey; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Ailey?

It's said AY-lee /ˈeΙͺ.li/ β€” two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Ailey a boy or girl name?

Ailey is a girl's name.

How popular is Ailey?

Ailey is a rare name in the U.S.

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