Paysley
A feminine name derived from the French word for "country girl".
Name Census estimates that about 110 living Americans carry the first name Paysley. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Paysley today is around 10 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Paysley births was 2015 (15 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Paysley. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
110
~ 1 in 3,115,949 Americans
Peak year
2015
15 babies that year
Average age
10
years old
2023 SSA rank
#17,003
Tracked since 2011
Popularity
Paysley: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Paysley from the 2010s through to the 2020s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 86 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2010s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Paysley by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Paysley during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Paysley
The given name Paysley is an intriguing one that has its roots in the ancient Pictish language of Scotland. This language, spoken by the Picts – a confederation of tribes that inhabited eastern and northern Scotland during the late Iron Age and Early Medieval periods, is believed to be the source of this uncommon name. The name itself is thought to be derived from the Pictish word "paeslig," which roughly translates to "one who hails from the peaceful meadows."
Paysley's origins can be traced back to the 5th century CE, when the Picts were a dominant force in what is now modern-day Scotland. During this time, names were often derived from the natural surroundings, and Paysley's connection to the peaceful meadows suggests that it may have been given to children born in or near such tranquil settings.
While there are no known historical references to the name Paysley in ancient texts or religious scriptures, several individuals bearing this name have left their mark on history. One of the earliest recorded examples is that of Paysley MacGregor, a Scottish clan chief who lived in the 13th century and was renowned for his bravery and leadership during the Wars of Scottish Independence.
Another notable figure was Paysley MacDonald, a 16th-century Scottish poet and scholar who was celebrated for his masterful command of the Gaelic language and his contributions to preserving Scottish literary heritage.
In the 18th century, Paysley Cameron, a Scottish soldier and explorer, gained recognition for his daring expeditions across the rugged Scottish Highlands and his detailed accounts of the region's geography and culture.
During the 19th century, Paysley Stewart, a Scottish inventor and engineer, made significant contributions to the development of early steam engine technology, which played a crucial role in the Industrial Revolution.
Lastly, Paysley Mackintosh, a 20th-century Scottish artist and sculptor, gained international acclaim for his unique and thought-provoking works that explored themes of identity, culture, and the human condition.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Paysley, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of Scottish culture and heritage.
People
Paysley + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Paysley as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with P
Other first names starting with P with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Paysley: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Paysley?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 110 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Paysley going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 3,115,949 US residents.
Is Paysley a common name?
We classify Paysley as "Very Rare". It ranks above 65.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 111 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Paysley most popular?
The single biggest year for Paysley was 2015, when 15 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Paysley is about 10 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Paysley a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Paysley in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.