What does Ailsa mean?
Ailsa comes from Ailsa Craig, an island rock, and is linked to “elf” and “victory.”
What does Eilidh mean?
Eilidh is a Scottish Gaelic name linked to Helen, “sun” or “light.”
Ailsa vs Eilidh
Which is more popular?
Eilidh is more popular than Ailsa today: about 12 US babies were given the name Eilidh in 2025, compared with 0 named Ailsa.
| Ailsa | Eilidh | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Elf victory | Sun, light |
| Origin | Scottish | Scottish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | AYL-sah | AY-lee |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1918 | 1999 |
| Peak year | 2003 (19) | 2019 (18) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 12 |
| Trend | Declining | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Ailsa
Eilidh
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Ailsa | Eilidh |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 25 | 81 |
| 2010s | 121 | 108 |
| 2000s | 123 | 81 |
| 1990s | 112 | 5 |
| 1980s | 45 | 0 |
| 1970s | 80 | 0 |
| 1960s | 6 | 0 |
| 1920s | 21 | 0 |
| 1910s | 5 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Ailsa or Eilidh more popular?
Eilidh is more popular than Ailsa today: about 12 US babies were given the name Eilidh in 2025, compared with 0 named Ailsa.
What is the difference between Ailsa and Eilidh?
Ailsa means Elf victory (Scottish origin), while Eilidh means Sun, light (Scottish origin).
Which name is older, Ailsa or Eilidh?
In US records, Ailsa first appears in 1918 and Eilidh in 1999, so Ailsa has the longer recorded history.