What does Ailsa mean?
Ailsa comes from Ailsa Craig, an island rock, and is linked to “elf” and “victory.”
What does Mhairi mean?
Mhairi is the Scottish Gaelic form of Mary, sharing its debated meanings.
Ailsa vs Mhairi
Which is more popular?
Ailsa and Mhairi are given to a similar number of US babies today.
| Ailsa | Mhairi | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Elf victory | Of debated origin |
| Origin | Scottish | Scottish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | AYL-sah | VAH-ree |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1918 | 1997 |
| Peak year | 2003 (19) | 1997 (5) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| Trend | Declining | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Ailsa
Mhairi
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Ailsa | Mhairi |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 25 | 0 |
| 2010s | 121 | 0 |
| 2000s | 123 | 0 |
| 1990s | 112 | 5 |
| 1980s | 45 | 0 |
| 1970s | 80 | 0 |
| 1960s | 6 | 0 |
| 1920s | 21 | 0 |
| 1910s | 5 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Ailsa or Mhairi more popular?
Ailsa and Mhairi are given to a similar number of US babies today.
What is the difference between Ailsa and Mhairi?
Ailsa means Elf victory (Scottish origin), while Mhairi means Of debated origin (Scottish origin).
Which name is older, Ailsa or Mhairi?
In US records, Ailsa first appears in 1918 and Mhairi in 1997, so Ailsa has the longer recorded history.