Aisling

An ever-popular name in Ireland, Aisling is a girl’s name that’s beginning to make waves overseas. Variations like the more phonetic Ashling, as well as Aislinn, are in circulation too, but the original spelling still has a certain hold. Meaning “dream” or “vision” from Old Irish aislinge, Aisling dates back to an Irish poetic genre that emerged in the late 17th and 18th centuries. These aisling poems portrayed Ireland as a woman appearing in a visionary form, lamenting the country's troubles and foretelling a brighter future, representing a literal vision and a symbolic dream of Ireland’s revival. For more modern literature lovers, Oh My God, What a Complete Aisling is a series of books detailing the trials and triumphs of a 20-something navigating adult life. While the Aisling of tales past has no trouble saving the day, maybe the well-loved character of today makes for a more relatable inspiration!