What does Ailsa mean?
Ailsa comes from Ailsa Craig, an island rock, and is linked to “elf” and “victory.”
What does Kirsty mean?
Kirsty is a Scottish form of Christine, “follower of Christ.”
Ailsa vs Kirsty
Which is more popular?
Ailsa and Kirsty are given to a similar number of US babies today.
| Ailsa | Kirsty | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Elf victory | Follower of Christ |
| Origin | Scottish | Scottish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | AYL-sah | KEER-stee |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1918 | 1961 |
| Peak year | 2003 (19) | 1991 (99) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| Trend | Declining | Vintage |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Ailsa
Kirsty
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Ailsa | Kirsty |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 25 | 0 |
| 2010s | 121 | 10 |
| 2000s | 123 | 81 |
| 1990s | 112 | 508 |
| 1980s | 45 | 179 |
| 1970s | 80 | 130 |
| 1960s | 6 | 37 |
| 1920s | 21 | 0 |
| 1910s | 5 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Ailsa or Kirsty more popular?
Ailsa and Kirsty are given to a similar number of US babies today.
What is the difference between Ailsa and Kirsty?
Ailsa means Elf victory (Scottish origin), while Kirsty means Follower of Christ (Scottish origin).
Which name is older, Ailsa or Kirsty?
In US records, Ailsa first appears in 1918 and Kirsty in 1961, so Ailsa has the longer recorded history.