Ashley

ClassicFriendlyApproachableVersatileFamiliar

Ashley originates from Old English, meaning 'ash tree meadow' or 'dweller near the ash tree forest.' Originally a surname and masculine name, it became predominantly feminine in the late 20th century.

Current Popularity

#164 for girls

in the United States (2025)

Projected 2026: #183, likely #161 to #205

↗Declining

Popularity over time

191019502020
Recent years · births per year

Dashed bar: 2026 (projected): 1,725. How this is calculated

Yearly values
  • 2011: 5,403
  • 2012: 4,701
  • 2013: 3,943
  • 2014: 3,560
  • 2015: 3,429
  • 2016: 3,045
  • 2017: 2,528
  • 2018: 2,280
  • 2019: 2,031
  • 2020: 1,808
  • 2021: 1,700
  • 2022: 1,865
  • 2023: 2,184
  • 2024: 2,240
  • 2025: 1,829
  • 2026 (projected): 1,725

Good to Know

Common nicknames: Ash, Ashy, Lee, Asha
  • •Easy to spell and pronounce in English-speaking countries
  • •Peaked in popularity during the 1980s-1990s
  • •Works well for all ages from childhood through adulthood
  • •Has unisex roots but now strongly associated with girls
  • •Multiple spelling variations exist

Famous People

A

Ashley Olsen

Fashion designer and former actress

A

Ashley Judd

Actress and humanitarian

A

Ashley Graham

Supermodel and body positivity advocate

A

Ashley Tisdale

Actress and singer

Statistics

859,857

Total births since 1880

1987

Peak year

Discovery

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