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Ailidh

Girl name · 218 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Ailidh: 218 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 11 births in 2009.

Ailidh is a charming Scottish Gaelic name, typically considered a diminutive of Aileen, which itself derives from the Norman French Aveline or the Irish Eibhlín, ultimately tracing back to the Greek Helenē, meaning "light" or "torch." Though not widely borne by global celebrities, the name has a gentle presence in Scottish tradition, occasionally appearing in modern fiction and among young Highland families. There are no major places named after an Ailidh, but the root "Ail-" connects to similar Gaelic names like Aila and Ailsa, the latter also shared with the famous Isle of Ailsa Craig in the Firth of Clyde. An endearing note: Ailidh is often used interchangeably with Ailie, and both have grown in quiet popularity across Scotland since the late 20th century, offering a softer, distinctly Scottish alternative to the more common Ellie.