Aisling

Aisling (ASH-ling) is an Irish girl's name meaning "dream" or "vision." It is in reference to the poetic genre called aisling that started in the 17th century in Ireland. True variant forms include Aislin or Aislinn, and Aislene. Later invented spellings include Ashlin, Ashling, Aislyn, Ashlynn, Ashleen, and Aislee. Potential nicknames include Ash, Ashley, and Lin. This name was not used as a baby name until the 20th century and is not related to Ashley, which is Old English meaning "ash meadow." There were 43 baby girls given this name in the U.S. in 2010 and 12 in 2011. However, in 2005 it was the 31st most popular girl's name in Ireland. By 2016 Aisling was given to 47 girls in the U.S., Aislin to 44, and Aislinn was by far most popular - given to 246 girls in the U.S.

There are several namesakes for the spelling Aisling, including a few actresses. The are also several fictional characters, including the main character in Ash by Melinda Lo, Katie MacAlister's Guardian series, Laurell K. Hamilton's Meredith Gentry series, a character in the animated film The Secret of Kells, in Ali Smith's novel Like, the Endgame novel series by James Frey, Sushi for Beginners by Marian Keyes, Light a Penny Candle by Maeve Binchy, Sons of the Shadows by Juliet Marillier, the Aisling series by Carole Cummings, and there is a song called "Aisling" by Shane MacGowan. Aisling is also a character in the play Stones in His Pockets.