Aisling

Aisling is an Irish female name from the Irish-Gaelic word “aislinge” meaning “dream, vision.”  The type of dream is specific to a vision of a beautiful woman from the spirit world. Once dreamt, the dreamer can no longer be content again.  It was a concept developed by Irish language poets in the 17th and 18th centuries, first introduced by Aodhagán Ó Rathaille (1670-1726) who was considered the “father of the aisling” (Gaelic: athair na haislinge).  Essentially, Ireland was personified as the “aisling” (a beautiful, heavenly woman) in politically-charged poetry. Upheaval in Ireland in the late 17th century was marked by the ongoing wars between the encroaching Protestants and the native Catholics resulting in Penal Laws against the Irish-Catholics (preventing them from land-ownership and power of any kind).  During this period, the once esteemed Irish-Gaelic filí (poets) were greatly marginalized and the Irish language became nearly extinct.  Enter Aisling. She wailed against the oppression of her people and called upon the men of Ireland to save her from peril.  The traditional Irish-Gaelic spelling of this name is Aisling, but it has often been anglicized to Ashling and Aislinn. Today, Aisling is a super popular girl’s name in Ireland – ranked #42 in 2012.