What Does the Name Paisley Mean?
Paisley is a girl's name of Scottish origin meaning “'church / basilica' (from the town of Paisley).”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Paisley |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Scottish |
| Meaning | 'church / basilica' (from the town of Paisley) |
| Variants | Paislee, Paislee, Paizley |
| Popularity | A fast-rising American name in the 2010s; reached the US top 50 girls' names. |
The meaning and origin of Paisley
The name Paisley means “'church / basilica' (from the town of Paisley)” and has Scottish origins. Paisley is taken from the Scottish town of Paisley, whose name derives from a Brythonic word ('passeleg') meaning 'basilica' or 'church'. The town also gave its name to the distinctive teardrop-shaped textile pattern.
Variants and related names
Paisley is related to several other names you may recognize: Paislee, Paislee, Paizley. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Paisley?
A fast-rising American name in the 2010s; reached the US top 50 girls' names.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Paisley mean?+
The name Paisley means “'church / basilica' (from the town of Paisley)” and is of Scottish origin.
What is the origin of the name Paisley?+
Paisley originates from Scottish.
Is Paisley a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Paisley has trended in the US over time.
Paisley by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press