Ailis – Name Meaning
Ailis is a name of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic Aílis. It is a feminine given name, and can also be spelled as Ailish, Ayleesha, or Ayleeshe. The meaning of the name is “noble” or “honorable”.
The name has been popular in Ireland for centuries, and was used by many prominent figures in Irish history. In modern times, it has become increasingly popular in other countries as well. It is often seen as a variation of the more common name Alice.
History and Origin
The name Ailis is derived from the Gaelic Aílis, which means “noble” or “honorable”. It is believed to have originated in Ireland during the Middle Ages. The name was used by several prominent figures in Irish history, including Saint Ailis of Kildare, who was an abbess in the 7th century.
In modern times, the name has become increasingly popular outside of Ireland. It is often seen as a variation of the more common name Alice. It has been used as a given name in England since at least the 16th century.
Popularity
Ailis is not currently among the top 1000 most popular names in the United States. However, it has seen some recent growth in popularity due to its unique sound and meaning. In 2018, it ranked #4,845 on the Social Security Administration’s list of most popular baby girl names.
It is much more popular in other countries such as Ireland and England. In Ireland, it ranked #90 on the Central Statistics Office’s list of most popular baby girl names in 2018. In England, it ranked #1,717 on the Office for National Statistics’ list of most popular baby girl names in 2018.
Famous People Named Ailis
There are several famous people who have been given the name Ailis throughout history:
- Saint Ailis of Kildare: An abbess who lived during the 7th century.
- Ailís Ní Ríain: An Irish singer-songwriter.
- Ailís McSweeney: An Irish sprinter who competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Variations of the Name
The name Ailis can also be spelled as Ailish, Ayleesha, or Ayleeshe. These variations are all pronounced similarly to the original spelling.