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