Paisley name meaning • 2025 rank #67
Paisley
Paisley means “church or cemetery; origin is debated.” It has scottish place name roots and ranked #67 among U.S. girl names in 2025.
Make it personal
Could Paisley be the one?
The short version
Why parents consider Paisley
Paisley is a scottish place name name commonly associated with “church or cemetery; origin is debated.” At #67 in the 2025 U.S. rankings, it combines national recognition with a little more breathing room and a substantial written form.
Heritage at its center
The meaning most often associated with Paisley is “church or cemetery; origin is debated.” That gives the name a story parents can explain without reducing it to a single definition.
Top 100 in 2025
It sits within the national Top 100 while leaving more room for distinction than the chart-leading choices.
Substantial and flowing
Paisley has a substantial 7-letter form and a flowing vowel ending. A concise middle name can give the full combination breathing room.
What does Paisley mean?
Paisley is commonly connected with the meaning “church or cemetery; origin is debated.” Its roots are described as scottish place name. Name histories often travel across languages and generations, so spelling, pronunciation, and interpretation can differ by family or cultural tradition.
Paisley popularity over the last 10 years
Paisley moved down 20 places from 2016 to 2025. Each year and spelling is counted separately in the Social Security Administration data.
View the complete yearly rankings
| Year | U.S. rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #67 |
| 2024 | #61 |
| 2023 | #56 |
| 2022 | #53 |
| 2021 | #52 |
| 2020 | #49 |
| 2019 | #53 |
| 2018 | #52 |
| 2017 | #45 |
| 2016 | #47 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration ↗. SSA reports spellings separately and suppresses names used fewer than five times.
How Paisley looks and lives in a full name
Paisley has a substantial 7-letter form and a flowing vowel ending. A concise middle name can give the full combination breathing room.
On the 2025 list, It sits within the national Top 100 while leaving more room for distinction than the chart-leading choices. It is substantial enough to carry a short, crisp middle name. Say it with your surname, then test the initials and the version you are most likely to call across the house.
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Collections connected to Paisley
Sibling names that pair with Paisley
These are style-and-rhythm suggestions rather than popularity claims. They aim for a family set that feels connected without sounding matched.
Middle names for Paisley
Each group tests a different kind of rhythm. Try the complete name aloud with your surname before narrowing the list.
A crisp middle can create breathing room in the full name.
A familiar traditional middle gives the pairing a grounded rhythm.
A less expected middle can add character without overpowering the first name.
These are editorial sound pairings, not rules. An honor name with personal history can matter more than perfect syllable balance.
Names like Paisley
These names share parts of Paisley’s origin, familiarity, length, or rhythm while keeping their own identity.
Names near Paisley in the 2025 rankings
These names were chosen at a similar national frequency. Comparing them can help you decide whether Paisley feels comfortably familiar or more distinctive than its neighbors.
A practical final check
Before deciding on Paisley
A ranking and a meaning can start the conversation, but the right name also has to work in your family’s everyday life.
- Decide how much popularity mattersPaisley ranks #67. Compare that national position with what you hear locally, because a name can feel more or less common in a particular community.
- Confirm the cultural storySources or traditions do not always tell one simple story for Paisley. If its heritage matters to you, confirm the meaning and pronunciation with a source specific to the language or community you want to honor.
- Run the everyday-language testSay “This is Paisley,” write it as if making an appointment, and imagine calling it from another room. Notice whether the spelling, sound, and likely nicknames still feel natural.
- Test the complete namePair Paisley with the surname, middle-name candidates, and any sibling names. Check the initials, repeated sounds, and the rhythm of the full name rather than judging the first name alone.
Thoughtful next steps
Guides to use with this profile
Frequently asked questions about Paisley
What does the name Paisley mean?
Paisley is commonly associated with “church or cemetery; origin is debated.”
What is the origin of Paisley?
Paisley is generally described as a name with scottish place name roots.
How popular is Paisley?
Paisley ranked #67 among U.S. girl names for babies born in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.
Is Paisley a popular baby name?
Yes. Paisley ranked #67 among U.S. girl names in 2025, placing it in the national Top 100. Local use can still feel different from the national ranking.
What middle names go with Paisley?
Short, classic, and distinctive styles can all work with Paisley. The strongest choice depends on surname rhythm, initials, and family meaning.