Paisley

Associated with Scottish place-name usage and, later, with the well-known paisley pattern.

Paisley is a feminine given name that’s especially familiar in modern English-language naming. Many people recognize it both as a place name in Scotland and as the name attached to the paisley textile pattern, which makes the association feel immediate even when someone doesn’t know the deeper history. Etymologically, the name is best described as place-name derived: it comes from the town name Paisley, and the pattern name in everyday English also traces back to that place association. Because the pattern is globally recognizable, it often influences how people interpret the name today, even if the original place-name etymology itself is not always discussed in detail in baby-name sources. Pronunciation in English is typically PAYZ-lee, with two syllables and a clear Z sound in the middle. If spelling matters for forms and records, it’s worth noting that variants like “Paislee” and “Paisleigh” appear while keeping the same basic pronunciation.

Etymology: From the Scottish town name Paisley; later widely recognized through the paisley textile pattern that took the town’s name in popular usage.