Unusual middle name?

Question

My grandmother's middle name was Paisley (it's an old maiden name). I would like to give my child that middle name as well to honor my grandmother's memory. However I'm worried that Paisley might be too strange. Also, do you think that name would work well for a boy and a girl? What are some first names that flow with it nicely? Any input would be great! Thanks so much!

Thank you. For first names I like old-fashioned names that aren't too odd, but since they're old fashioned they're rarely used and still stand out now. I can't use Paisley as a first name. My husband just won't bend on that, lol.

Answer 1

Paisley's actually not as "strange" as you think. In other words, while it isn't overused (at a respectable 835 -- for girls -- in the states), it's certainly familiar, at least to most. And given your personal connection to the name, not an odd choice in the least! ;)

Given the fact that it's a family name/surname for you, I'd assume you likely have some Scottish or general Celtic heritage, and perhaps look for a first name along those same lines. Simply a timeless classic would be equally lovely with Paisley. ;) Sticking with these sort of options, some that might appeal would include:

Elspeth Paisley
Isobel Paisley
Eleanor or Nora(h) Paisley
Ailsa Paisley
Aileen (ay-LEEN) or Eileen Paisley
Isla (IE-la) Paisley
Lilias/Lillias Paisley
Catriona Paisley
Fiona Paisley
Finola Paisley
Lorna Paisley
Maura or Moira Paisley
Margaret Paisley - nickname Maisie seems especially fitting with this combo ;)
Charlotte Paisley
Cecilia Paisley
Gwendolen Paisley
Gwyneth Paisley
Meredith Paisley
Rhiannon Paisley
Agatha Paisley

And while Paisley is slightly more commonly used as a feminine given name at the moment, as a Scottish surname, it's certainly equally usable for a boy. Especially given the family connection here! Quite refreshing, in fact. ;) My only advice in that case would be to avoid some of the currently-common crossovers (Cameron, Reilly, etc.) in favor of more obviously-masculine first names.

Ewan Paisley
Alasdair/Alister Paisley
Angus Paisley
Oscar Paisley
Milo Paisley
Malcolm Paisley
Desmond Paisley
Donovan Paisley
Declan Paisley
Simon Paisley
Oliver Paisley
Oran Paisley
Lachlan Paisley
Nigel or Niall Paisley
Graham/Graeme Paisley
William Paisley

Hope they help! ;)

Answer 2

I think Paisley is too odd for a first name. It's a last name, and a fabric pattern. However, I love the meaning behind it for you, and I think it would be great as a middle name for either gender. I'm leaning towards a girl, because it is your grandmother's name, and there's a trend towards using last names on girls (Ainsley, Anderson, etc.). I would avoid using any name that can be mistaken for having to do with fabric or patterns, because it could make a nice family name sound very silly.

Ideas:

Georgia Paisley
Jennifer Paisley
Leah Paisley
Hannah Paisley
Angelina Paisley
Regina Paisley
Danica Paisley
Maritza Paisley
Zoe Paisley

Deacon Paisley
Fionn Paisley
Hector Paisley
Noah Paisley
Micah Paisley
James Paisley
Brennan Paisley
Kieran Paisley
Liam Paisley/William Paisley

ETA:

I love underused classic names! Here's some off of my list with Paisley as a middle name:

Daphne Paisley
Charlotte Paisley
Eleanor Paisley
Louisa Paisley
Stella Paisley
Lucinda Paisley

Theodore Paisley
Sebastian Paisley
George Paisley
Henry Paisley
Edmund Paisley
Keegan Paisley

Answer 3

Paisley Annaliese
Paisley Evaline
Paisley Eloise
Paisley Deniella
Paisley Isadora
Paisley Ivy-Rose
Paisley Marianna
Paisley Caroline-Marie

Answer 4

For a girl
Samantha Paisley
Selene Paisley
Shannon Paisley
Grace Paisley
Tiffany Paisley
Jordan Paisley
Alissa Paisley
Cora Paisley

Answer 5

Paisley can go either way. And if by chance your child grows up and thinks of it as a 'strange' name, it's the middle name so most people won't even be aware of the name. I think that's a nice way to honor your grandmother go for it.

Answer 6

Go for it. Many children bear the maiden name of their mothers or grandmothers and are proud of it. It's a MEANINGFUL middle name vs. one that just sounds good. In fact, my boss's son went by his middle name (mother's maiden name) for a first name because there were so many kids with the same first name when he started school. I think the middle name would work fine for both a girl and boy (Country singer Brad Paisley doesn't seem to mind his name).

Pick names you like and then later decide if they flow nicely.

Answer 7

As it is a family name, it could be either male or female (it is a place name from Scotland--from the Gaelic Pàislig. It is also the place where they made the Indian-style fabric that is now called paisley.) To me it has a feminine feel, so I would be more likely to give it to a girl.

Middle names are a good place to have really unusual names, who knows...the kid may decide that he/she wants to go by the middle name instead.

Good Luck.

Answer 8

Actually I've heard the name Paisley before. I think it'd be very cute.

Lillian (Lily) Paisley
Clara Paisley
Olivia Paisley

Answer 9

Paisley is a Scottish surname. It's not strange at all, compared to the made-up nonsense some people use, and it's very classy to use your own family name as first and/or middle name. If nothing else, it proves that you know where you came from.

Answer 10

I like Paisley for a girl! I was thinking about naming my baby Paisley! I love it!