What does Ailsa mean?
Ailsa comes from Ailsa Craig, an island rock, and is linked to “elf” and “victory.”
What does Catriona mean?
Catriona is the Scottish Gaelic form of Katherine, traditionally “pure.”
Ailsa vs Catriona
Which is more popular?
Ailsa and Catriona are given to a similar number of US babies today.
| Ailsa | Catriona | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Elf victory | Pure |
| Origin | Scottish | Scottish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | AYL-sah | kah-TREE-nah |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1918 | 1965 |
| Peak year | 2003 (19) | 1998 (32) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| Trend | Declining | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Ailsa
Catriona
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Ailsa | Catriona |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 25 | 49 |
| 2010s | 121 | 127 |
| 2000s | 123 | 207 |
| 1990s | 112 | 152 |
| 1980s | 45 | 97 |
| 1970s | 80 | 27 |
| 1960s | 6 | 24 |
| 1920s | 21 | 0 |
| 1910s | 5 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Ailsa or Catriona more popular?
Ailsa and Catriona are given to a similar number of US babies today.
What is the difference between Ailsa and Catriona?
Ailsa means Elf victory (Scottish origin), while Catriona means Pure (Scottish origin).
Which name is older, Ailsa or Catriona?
In US records, Ailsa first appears in 1918 and Catriona in 1965, so Ailsa has the longer recorded history.