Paisley is a unique and charming girls' name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the town of Paisley, which lies in the west central lowlands of Scotland. The town itself is named after the white chapel, known as Pessia Capella or Paschal Chapel, which was dedicated to St. Mirin.
The name Paisley has gained popularity in recent years, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States and Australia. It is often associated with the intricate pattern of the same name, which originated in the town's historic thread-making industry. However, there is no direct connection between the name Paisley and the paisley pattern.
In terms of meaning, Paisley does not have a specific definition or association with any particular qualities or attributes. Instead, it is simply a name that has been passed down through generations and has become associated with the town from which it originated.
Throughout history, the name Paisley has been carried by various notable figures. One such example is the Scottish poet Robert Bontine Cunninghame Graham, who was born in the town of Paisley in 1849. Another notable figure is Paisley's most famous son, the engineer James Watt, whose improvements to the steam engine helped to drive the Industrial Revolution.
In summary, Paisley is a charming and unique girls' name of Scottish origin that has gained popularity in recent years. It is derived from the town of Paisley, which is named after a historic chapel dedicated to St. Mirin. While there is no specific meaning or association with any particular qualities, the name Paisley has been carried by various notable figures throughout history and has become associated with the town's historic thread-making industry through the paisley pattern.
Statistics on the Name Paisley:
The name Paisley has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. Starting with just 5 births each year from 1966 to 1970, the number of babies named Paisley began to rise steadily throughout the late 20th century.
In the early 1980s, around 7 to 10 babies were being named Paisley annually. However, as we entered the 1990s, this number started to climb more rapidly. Between 1990 and 1995, there were between 50 and 93 births per year with the name Paisley.
The turn of the century marked a significant turning point for the name's popularity. In the year 2000 alone, there were 89 babies named Paisley, more than doubling the previous year's total. This upward trend continued throughout the early 2000s, with over 1,000 babies being named Paisley annually by 2006.
The peak of Paisley's popularity in the U.S. came in 2013, with a record-breaking 4,499 births that year. Since then, the name has remained quite popular, consistently ranking within the top 500 names for newborn girls each year. As of 2022, there were approximately 3,727 babies named Paisley, demonstrating the enduring appeal of this unique moniker.
Overall, since the Social Security Administration began tracking baby names in 1966, over 58,225 babies have been named Paisley in the United States. This statistic underscores the name's growing popularity and lasting impact on American naming trends.