Find out how popular the first name Ailish has been for the last 33 years (from 1991 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ailish by gender

Based on the last 33 years of data, Ailish is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 10 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Ailish.

The history of the first name Ailish

The name Ailish is believed to have its origins in the Irish Gaelic language. It is derived from the Old Irish name Oilish, which itself is a diminutive form of the name Ailis or Alice. The name is thought to stem from the ancient Germanic name Adalhaidis, composed of the elements "adal" meaning "noble" and "haid" meaning "kind" or "heathy."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ailish can be found in the 12th century Irish text known as the Annals of Inisfallen, where it appears as the name of a noblewoman. This suggests that the name has been in use in Ireland for centuries.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who have borne the name Ailish. One of the earliest was Ailish Ó Maoil Chonaire (born around 1570), an Irish poet and historian from County Clare. Another was Ailish Ní Charra (1628-1705), an Irish noblewoman and landowner from County Mayo.

In the 19th century, Ailish Nic Dhonnchadha (1838-1907) was a renowned Irish language scholar and educator from County Cork. She played a significant role in preserving and promoting the Irish language during a time when its use was declining.

In more recent times, Ailish Tynan (born 1982) is an Irish operatic soprano who has performed with leading opera companies around the world. Ailish Craven (born 1995) is an Irish actress known for her role in the television series Penny Dreadful.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals who have carried the name Ailish throughout history, highlighting its enduring presence and significance within Irish culture and society.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Ailish was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ailish, please contact us.

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