Ashley Name Meaning and Origin

Ashley is traditionally a male given name derived from the Old English words Aesc meaning ash, and lēah, meaning ‘forest glade’ or ‘wood.’ But now Ashley is a unisex name that’s gained popularity in recent times. The ease of spelling and pronouncing it is what makes it popular and one of the top choices to name your baby. Ashley is also prominent in pop culture, as many characters in movies and series have been named Ashley. It has an air of classiness and sophistication around it, which makes it very suitable and a top contender when it comes to searching for baby names. Originally referred to as a meadow where ash trees were found, Ashley later became an English surname. This family name denoted ‘someone who lived near an ash tree clearing’ or ‘dweller near the ash tree meadow.’ The feminine form of Ashley is Ashleigh, with Ashley remaining traditionally male.

What Does Ashley Mean?

The meaning of Ashley as ‘ash tree’ has both mystical and religious significance. In some European cultures, ash wood is burned as the smoke is thought to ward off evil spirits. Thus, Ashley also means ‘woodland clearing.’ The Ash tree was dedicated to Poseidon, the God of the seas and the sun in ancient Greece. Thus, the meaning of Ashley relates to the proto-Indo-European for the tree, while the generic name ‘Ash’ originated in Latin from a proto-Indo-European word for birch.

Origin

Ashley has evolved from a place name to an English surname and then a given name. Originally a male name in England, Ashley is now used for boys and girls in the UK and US. Its close variant Asher is a biblical name from a Hebrew word meaning “happy” or “blessing.” It also resembles the Irish name Aisling which means “dream” or “vision.” Ashley is a habitational name from any of the numerous places in southern and central England named Ashley.

Gender

Unisex

Pronunciation

• Aesh-Lee
• Ash-Ley

Syllables

 2 syllables

Length/Letter

 6 letters

Name Variations/Spellings

Ashley name variations illustrate possibilities in different languages and origins. Some other spellings for Ashley that may be linked to a foreign heritage relating to a specific country:

How Popular Is the Name Ashley?

Considered among the top five names for girls in the US from 1985 to 1993, Ashley started as a stylish boys’ name. Ashley remained in the top 10 names for girls in America up to 2005, climbing to the No. 1 position in 1991 and 1992. Although Ashley was more commonly used as a masculine name in the first half of the twentieth century, it started gaining popularity for girls in the 1960s. Ashley was exclusively used as a girl name by the mid-1990s but has not ranked among the top 1000 names for boys in the US since 1994. The latest Social Security Administration data shows the Ashley baby name ranking stands at No. 154 for girls. In the 1960s, the male spelling of Ashley started to be used for both genders. The Ashley popularity index gained impetus in the 1980s due to the female character Ashley Abbott who emerged on the TV series “The Young and the Restless” in 1982.

Interest in Ashley – Worldwide

Search trends data reflects an incredible interest for Ashley, recording a popularity score of over 35 for the last five years, reaching 100 in August 2015. The lowest value recorded in the popularity index was at 27 in September 2021.

Interest in Ashley – US

Ashley’s search trends have recorded consistent search popularity of over 70 for seven years, reaching 100 in September 2015. The lowest search value recorded on the popularity scale was 60 in April 2020.

Popularity of the name Ashley 

URL: httpss://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi

Where Is the Name Most Searched?

Search trends of Ashley – Worldwide

Search trends reflect the highest interest for Ashley in the United States in the last ten years, followed by the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand. The influence of classic English names on the American baby-naming trend makes Ashley a highly popular name among parents of the United States.

Search trends of Ashley – US

Among the sub-regions of the US, South Carolina leads in terms of the most searched city over the last ten years. Alabama, Mississippi, North Dakota, and Louisiana make it to the top 5 cities of the US, where search trends for Ashley have been recorded to be the highest.

Middle Names That Go With Ashley

A meaningful middle name can be an accepted part of many cultures today. Here is a list of the best double names with Ashley that may help to enhance your child’s first name.

Famous People Named Ashley

The names of successful celebrities play a significant role in the baby naming trend. Here are some popular personalities called Ashley who can excite parents with their ultra-edgy and unique names:

Ashley in Pop Culture

The name Ashley is at the forefront of pop culture. And why not? It makes for a classy and stylish name, after all! Here are some of these names that you can take pick from for your little one:

Similar Names & Last Names

Family names for Ashley are inherited and may represent family honor. Baby names like Ashley closely resemble each other and imply new possibilities of the given name. Here are some of the other names for Ashley that would fit your search criteria.

Names That Sound Like Ashley

Names that rhyme with Ashley sound sweet and sophisticated together. Here are some names that can look and sound like Ashley.

Sibling Names Related to Ashley

Sibling names can be chosen to set them up for a dream team for life. Here are some of the best sibling names that go with Ashley that can foster the love between them:

Nicknames for Ashley

A nickname is particularly apt to denote a person’s qualities or affinities. Here are some of the nicknames for the name Ashley that may be creatively conceived to cheer up your little one in a private setting.

A wildly popular and adorable name in the ’80s, Ashley has become less common since then. New American parents have adapted Ashley as a given name from an English family name irrespective of its cultural identity. No matter how it fairs in the popularity chart, Ashley stands to appeal one and all with its polished grace and charm.

FAQs

1. What color does the name Ashley mean?

The name Ashley is related to different colours like violet and red.

2. What is the personality of the name Ashley?

A person named Ashley is a realistic decision-maker. They are intelligent and intuitive.

Sources/References

Social Security Administration: https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi
Ashley Name Popularity in the United States: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-01-01%202021-10-10&geo=US&q=Ashley
Ashley Name Popularity Across The World: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-01-01%202021-10-10&q=Ashley
Ashley Name Interest in the United States: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-01-01%202021-10-10&geo=US&q=Ashley
Ashley Name Interest Across The World: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-01-01%202021-10-10&q=Ashley