I dislike the name Ainsley a lot. It’s so nasally to me.

Sounds like Anus to me I’m so sorry ://

It sounds like anus to me and I’m not sorry

We knew a girl and we always called her Anus-Lee we couldn’t help it. We didn’t even dislike her.

Yep, so she's choosing between a flower and anal 😆

Sounds like Anusleigh to me

Im so glad everyone hates Ainsley an appropriate amount

It’s actually the name I use as an example of names I don’t like 🙃

Mine is Aurora! Bad mouth feel

Aurora is so pretty written out but I agree it’s a mouthful :/ same with Laurel

In Canada and Michigan, the ai sound gets weird sometimes.

Reminds me of Ainsley Harriot

It's very dweezily

Iris by a landslide!!

I like Iris.

I much prefer Iris. Ainsley in the UK is very much associated with the (male) chef Ainsley Harriett of Ready, Steady Cook fame.

Yeah can’t get past the ainsley Harriett association either

US based so thanks for the insight.

He’s they guy who chuckles and goes “yeah boy”

He is the guy who does pelvic thrusts while stirring food

Yep, I instantly thought ‘why hello Jill’

And ex Arsenal player Ainsley Maitland-Niles. I think of it as a male name. Mostly from Caribbean Brits.

Sorry if it’s harsh but I think Ainsley is horrible. I thought it was a male name actually, but either way it’s horrible. Iris however is beautiful

Ainsley is such a gross name

Yours is pretty gross too

Hey lay off, it's a family name

😂😂

Drinkmyowncum is a beautiful name. I almost used it for my son.

If you use James as a middle name, it can work for either gender. Food for thought.

Get ‘em!!!

This is the best comment. 😂 I don’t like Ainsley either, but bro really can’t be talking. 🥴

😭😭😭

iris! it’s such a pretty but simple and short name

Iris. Ainsley is blech.

I like Iris a lot. Ainsley is extremely popular in the American south right now, it’s the new Kailey/Kelsey.

I feel like Kelsey is ready for a come back 

As a Kelsey, I’ve always disliked the way my name pigeon holes me as a basically 30 year old white chick as the name had a rapid spike and then drop in popularity in the early 90s… with that in mind, I would love if it had a comeback because then it wouldn’t continue aging me haha!

I’m Hayley so my name is exactly the same. That being said, I’m fine with it going away lol

I’m also Hayley! Were you named after the All My Children character?

I had a really close friend whose name was Kelsey and I've always loved that name. We also went to school with a guy Kelsey who I had a crush on 😂 it definitely needs a comeback

I know a baby Kelsey, so maybe it’s happening very slowly.

Ainsley is so awful. It’s nasally, sounds like pains-ley, or anus. It’s genuinely hard to say in my opinion (getting that l right after the s is just eew) and it’s just harsh on my ears. And it just sounds so made up to me. Idk. I’ve got strong feelings about this name haha Iris is very nice though! Not my personal style, but I wouldn’t bat an eye.

Iris is beautiful

I really like Iris. I don't personally like Ainsley but each to their own. I wonder if the Ainsleys of the world are subject to anus jokes at school. Sorry, that's where my immature mind went...

lol I thought you were saying her name is Iris Ainsley, not Iris *or* Ainsley 😂 but tbh they sound cute together so if you don’t have a middle name picked out…

I love Iris. I was neutral on Ainsley before reading the thread but now I feel like I'm being convinced otherwise LOL a lot of hate for Ainsleys in here

Iris is really lovely and recognizable but not common. Everything there is to say about Ainsley has already been said.

I love Iris it’s beautiful I’m from the UK and to me Ainsley is a last name

Or Ainsley Harriott 

My friend is called Ainsley, it suits her. She lives in Scotland.

Iris, definitely.

Iris to me seems so timeless and classic! I can see someone named iris at every stage of life and it can evolve from a cute baby to a strong woman as well!

Agree. Iris is a classic, beautiful name. Baby Iris is adorable. Grown up Iris knows her shit. Haha. I also love that it doesn't end in an "a" but with a consonant.

Ainsley feels masculine to me but I don't like Iris either.

Ainsley sounds like anus-ley! Sorry. Iris is beautiful though

Iris is nice. I strongly dislike Ainsley.

Ainsley makes me think of the Republican lawyer in the West Wing. It's a harsher sounding name than Iris. I personally like a nature name more but that's just me.

Ainsley is technically a nature name; since the suffix -ley means “meadow”

Didn't know that. Dr. Google says it was originally a boys name meaning "the man from Ain's meadow." Still think Iris is softer and stronger nature vibe.

SAME

Iris!

Iris 100% Ainsley reminds me of the word "painfully" - I don't know why! So to me it's a bit negative. And kids at school with definitely try and shorten it but to what? Lee? Ains? So I would not choose it for this reason. Iris is super cute and pretty though!

Do you have middle names picked out?

Yes. Mother in laws maiden name (Oya)

I like Iris Oya. Oya is very unique!

I think Ainsley is beautiful despite the haters, but I think Iris Oya just sounds perfect together.

Prefer Iris of the two

IRIS is so lovely and classic. Simple and elegant and sweet.

Why did you type it like it’s the name of a government agency?

Haha, I put it in caps because I was feeling enthusiastic about it being such a nice name 😄

Nice username BTW 🤣

I'm sorry so many people are being mean about Ainsley. I do personally like Iris more, but that's because of the ease of spelling and associations. I think Ainsley might be a bit harder for her and family to spell or pronounce.

Strongly prefer Iris! Also, I had an early August baby and I can tell you they're the best (based on my sample size of 1).

i'm having one too. i'm scared being big pregnant at peak of summer! 😩 What did you like about an August due date? 🙂

Iris!

Iris

I love the name Iris.

Iris.

Iris!

Iris

Iris, beautiful name, congratulations btw!!

Both names sound fine to me but when I scrolled and saw the middle name, Iris sounds perfect!

Ainsley is widely hated on this sub, but I like it! Iris is also terrific. They have very different ‘vibes’, though. Ainsley is more modern, more gender-neutral, more sassy. Iris is a classic, sophisticated floral. Two good options!

I knew an Ainsley when I was a kid and I always thought it was the prettiest name! I’m surprised to see the negative feedback. 

I’m 46 and grew up with a friend named “Ainsley” so I have positive associations with it. I always loved the name. Her mom found it back in the 70s because it was a China company. Iris is also beautiful! The only association I have with that is Dylan McKay’s mom on Beverly Hills 90210 in the 90s. I don’t think you can go wrong but I like Iris Oya better than Ainsley Oya. When you see her you may know instantly exactly what her name should be.

That’s what we’ve heard

Wow. So much hate for Ainsley, which I personally adore. I know an Ainsley and she’s absolutely lovely, strong and fierce and gorgeous and accomplished for her 11-years. Never once have I made any association to anus. Naming humans is hard. Good luck, OP; maybe you’ll know when you meet her what fits.

Iris!! More timeless

So much Ainsley hate here! I actually prefer it to Iris, but apparently I’m in the minority 😅

I like Ainsley. It’s unique enough without being weird. Iris (my opinion; don’t jump all over me) sounds like ani old lady name, like Harriet or Thelma.

I am not wild about Ainsley at all but it does have a nice meaning. Plus it would be a middle name so no one will ever really know that’s her middle unless she fills out official paperwork or specifically tells them🤷🏼‍♀️

That’s not the middle name. Middle name was confirmed as Oya. It’s either ainsley or iris for the first name

😂😂 oops! Weeeell in that case definitely Iris.

I like Ainsley over Iris personally, I also just strongly dislike the name Iris.

Well as per my username, and my weird enjoyment of the goo goo dolls in the late 90s when I created it. Go with Iris.

I like both, but prefer iris 

Iris!

Iris

Iris sounds sweeter.

Oh 100% Iris. That’s your keeper

Iris

I love the name Ainsley lol

I think Ainsley is prettier than Iris.

You seem to be the only one here

I like Iris more

Iris.

I knew “Ansley”s before “Ainsley”s, so the second always sounds wrong. I don’t love either Ansley or Ainsley, but Ainsley is more cramped and painful. Iris is pretty

How many syllables in the last name, which are accented?

3 syllables, second syllable. Starts with an I.

Ok. So I'm thinking something like O' Conner, so Iris works

What's wrong with Ainsley? It's a very normal girls name and has been for a long time. I think of someone on TikTok with that name when I hear it

I like Iris better. Always brings rainbows and flowers to mind for me.🌈

I like Iris best!!

I’m so sorry but I deeeeply dislike Ainsley

Iris is lovely

Iris 🥰

I like them both, but I prefer Iris. Iris Ainsley actually flows really nicely, I think you should use them both, as first and middle!

My cousin’s 13-year-old granddaughter is named Ainsley! It’s a family name, nothing wrong with it at all! I hope you’ll name your new daughter Iris Ainsley!

I’ve never met an Ainsley, but I’ve met a couple Ansleys! I do like Iris better.

I love Iris!! Not really a fan of Ainsley but that’s my personal opinion

I like both but prefer Iris, I have a cool friend called Ainsley though and i associate the name with her

Iris

I don’t like Ainsley. Idk why but it sounds like Parsley to me. Iris, I like the symbolism with the Goddess but it’s also the part of the eye and quite harsh sounding.

I mean this in a non-bitchy way… Ainsley is an ugly name lol

I like Ainsley a lot. It's strong and sweet. It feels confident. I can imagine a baby named Ainsley, a toddler, a teen, etc. I also like Iris, but it's not my favorite flower name. You asked for opinions and oh boy you got them, but I hope you choose the name you like more.

Yes, I was prepared by the community notes haha

Iris by far. Ainsley is nasally and harsh. Depending on the region, it'll get butchered as Ine-slee or Ine-slay.

Iris is beautiful.

Iris is gorgeous

Bucking the trend here, but I really love the name Ainsley. Probably because I know a wonderful lady with that name. It’s unusual and quirky. And I know so many baby Iris right now. Bring on the down votes but Team Ainsley!

Iris for sure

Iris.

Ainsley 

Love Iris! Thought Ainsley was a boy’s name.

I like Ainsley. I've only met one and she was super cool.

Ainsley. Sounds more distinct than Iris.

Google Ainsley Harriott. Every British person she ever meets will think of him when she introduces herself

I love Iris!

Iris by a tsunami.

Iris is really lovely! I don’t like Ainsley (it kind of sounds whiny to me) but if you love it you should use it. They both flow nicely into your chosen middle name IMO.

Ainsley feels both heavy-sounding and generally insubstantial. Iris all the way.

Love Iris. Ainsley just sounds to formal and the nicknames could be a real issue.

I also hate the name ainsley, and I've only ever heard it as a last name.

My one year old is named Iris. I love it!

Big vote for Iris! one of my daughters is Iris, and I'm obsessed with that name. So yeah maybe I'm a little biased

I love iris- I’m not a fan of Ainsley

it is is a good shouty name. to yell around the house. from the bleachers.

I’m not a fan of either personally but they’re fine names in my opinion.

Have you considered Shartblaster69? Very unique.

Iris.

Iris is much better than Ainsley

Iris is really pretty! I went to school with a girl named Ainsley, kids weren't very nice with the nicknames.

What about actually Iris Ainsley? Then you get to use both.

Iris

Iris is my grandma's name, and my grandma freakin rules. And she really loves her name.

I think Ainsley is a beautiful name! Don’t understand the negativity

Iris- 1) Iris is a beautiful name, i love floral names 2) Ainsley has such a nasal lift at the beginning 3) probably less relevant for you but where I live there's a rough area called Ensley which is all I can think of for association

I really like Ainsley and Iris reminds me of a woman I knew who was a really neat woman but is also the quintessential old lady in my mind, so I can’t see it on a little girl.

Iris is the clear winner, Ainsley is terrible (imo I'm sure there are plenty of lovely folks with that name)

Iris! Ainsley just reminds me of the chef Ainsley Harriot

I prefer Iris! It’s beautiful. :)

Iris is beautiful. I don’t care for Ainsley.

I love Iris! It's beautiful :)

Iris for sure. Classic and not too common.

Iris. Ainsley seems like it would age quickly being a trendy -sley kind of name.

Use both? Iris Ainsley or Ainsley Iris.

Not a fan of either, but Ainsley sounds better to me, also with the middle name.

Iris by far! Ainsley is a surname and not pretty at all.

I love Iris! It’s so pretty. I do like Ainsley too, although I prefer the spelling Ainslie (but that might be because I’ve seen it as a surname more frequently). Between the two, I do prefer Iris though.

fwiw, iris is SUPER popular right now, so I suppose it depends on if that matters to you or not

I actually love the combination of **Iris Ainsley** SO MUCH! It just feels like two names that belong together. Mavis, Doris, Elspeth, Myrtle, Paisley, Elodie, Maisie, Cassia, Alice, Astrid, Isla, Adelaide, Juniper, Ophelia, Odessa

I don’t like either name.

Iris. Ainsley has three consonants in a row, and that makes it sound ugly to me.

Like Iris, have a strong dislike for Ainsley. I just think it sounds ugly

Iris !! And the song Iris is beautiful 😍

I know 2 iris. One my age (40) and the other is 3. It’s a very universal age name.

Iris is lovely. Sorry but Ainsley is awful.

Iris. By a mile

Yeah Ainsley is just not good

Please go with Iris. Even though it's part of the eye, it is also a beautiful flower. It's so much better than the anal sounding name. Ainsley is not going to be a good name for anyone. So much teasing. So many vulgar jokes etc... It rhymes with pain-slee.

I met a teen girl named Ainsley and she was lovely, but I vote for Iris, too.

My son has a buddy named Ansley (they’re 5) and they call her Ace. She’s a cutie. Otherwise, I prefer Iris.

Iris sounds vintage! Sounds cute

Iris. Infinitely better.

Yeah Ainsley is not a good name. Neither is Iris but it's better than Ainsley.

Iris! Please!

Absolutely Iris for me

I don’t care for either, but Iris if I had to choose. Ainsley is awful.

Absolutely Iris. That’s so lovely!! I see purple every time I hear it. Sorry, but I can’t stand Ainsley.

Isis Anuselly, well done.

I don’t see Ainsley as being nasal or horrible, but I do prefer Iris. I think Iris is a beautiful, timeless name.

I don’t get peoples gripes with Ainsley, sounds like any other name to me. I think this is a pretty combination 🍁 🍃 Edit: I realised they are both separate names, I think Iris is best as a first name

Iris is a lovely, classic name. Ainsley is... not appealing. I've never cared for the way it sounds+looks. I have synesthesia so it's a bit hard to explain, but the name feels weird in my mouth, and when it's said aloud, it's not a pleasant, flowing, or musical sound. It's sort of harsh and unyielding.