Light; bird; or from the hay meadow
Ailey is a name with multiple potential roots. It is often considered a diminutive of Aileen or Eileen, which are Irish forms of Helen, meaning 'light'. Alternatively, it can be a variant of the English surname Hayley, meaning 'hay meadow', or the Scottish name Ailsa.
About 25 girls were named Ailey in 2025.
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
American journalist and writer
