Ashley Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Ashley Name Meaning

Fact: It’s a unisex name, more popular for girls in the U.S. but also used for boys, especially in the UK.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Ashley Overview

Meaning

Ash tree meadow

Gender

Girl, Gender-neutral

Origin

Old English

Etymology

Derived from “æsc” (ash) and “lēah” (meadow or clearing).

Pronunciation

/ˈæʃ.li/

Popularity

Ashley became widely popular as a given name in the late 20th century, especially for girls in the United States.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

7 (Analytical, Studious, Knowledgeable)

Name Styles

Popular, Traditional, Modern

Associated Traits

Adaptability, charm, grounded personality
A Deep Dive

Ashley Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Ashleigh, Ashlee, Ashli, Ashly, Ashlyn, Aisley, Ashleen, Ashleah, Ashlie, Ashlea

Common Nicknames

Lili, Ley, Ashy-Bear, Ashy-Loo, Ashy-Pie

Diminutives

Ash, Lee, Ashy, Asha, Ashie

Famous People

  • Ashley Tisdale
    (American Actress)
  • Ashley Olsen
    (American Fashion Designer)
  • Ashley Judd
    (American Actress)
  • Ashley Greene
    (American Actress)
  • Ashley Graham
    (American Model)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Ashley Abbott
    ("The Young and the Restless," TV Series)
  • Ashley Banks
    ("The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," TV Series)
  • Ashley Wilkes
    ("Gone with the Wind," Film)

Places

  • Ashley City
    (North Dakota, USA)
  • Ashley Borough
    (Pennsylvania, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Ashley?

The name Ashley means “ash tree meadow.” This name originally referred to a location characterized by ash trees, reflecting a natural and serene landscape.

What Is the Origin of The Name Ashley?

Ashley is derived from the Old English words “æsc” (ash) and “lēah” (meadow or clearing).

It originated as an English surname before becoming a common given name. Initially a place name, it was used to denote someone who lived near a meadow of ash trees.

Ashley Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Ashley in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#1712021#1542022#1262023
Top 3 Rankings#11991#11992#21985

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Ashley

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023126
(+28 from 2022)
2174
(+312 from 2022)
0.12429
2022154
(+17 from 2021)
1862
(+162 from 2021)
0.10384
2021171
(-18 from 2020)
1700
(-104 from 2020)
0.09489
2020153
(-17 from 2019)
1804
(-224 from 2019)
0.10205
2019136
(-7 from 2018)
2028
(-250 from 2018)
0.11053
2018129
(-7 from 2017)
2278
(-250 from 2017)
0.12250
2017122
(-21 from 2016)
2528
(-516 from 2016)
0.13382
2016101
(-15 from 2015)
3044
(-383 from 2015)
0.15724
201586
(+1 from 2014)
3427
(-131 from 2014)
0.17567
201487
(-20 from 2013)
3558
(-384 from 2013)
0.18187
201367
(-17 from 2012)
3942
(-758 from 2012)
0.20449
201250
(-8 from 2011)
4700
(-701 from 2011)
0.24233
201142
(-13 from 2010)
5401
(-915 from 2010)
0.27873
201029
(-9 from 2009)
6316
(-1498 from 2009)
0.32213
200920
(-2 from 2008)
7814
(-1593 from 2008)
0.38586
200818
(-5 from 2007)
9407
(-2020 from 2007)
0.45164
200713
(-1 from 2006)
11427
(-925 from 2006)
0.53990
200612
(-2 from 2005)
12352
(-923 from 2005)
0.59086
200510
(-2 from 2004)
13275
(-1101 from 2004)
0.65408
20048
No change from 2003
14376
(-143 from 2003)
0.71246
20038
(-2 from 2002)
14519
(-825 from 2002)
0.72362
20026
(-2 from 2001)
15344
(-1187 from 2001)
0.77691
20014
No change from 2000
16531
(-1467 from 2000)
0.83450
20004
(+2 from 1999)
17998
(-138 from 1999)
0.90182
19996
(-1 from 1998)
18136
(-1738 from 1998)
0.93158
19985
(-2 from 1997)
19874
(-1022 from 1997)
1.02522
19973
No change from 1996
20896
(-2782 from 1996)
1.09446
19963
(-1 from 1995)
23678
(-2925 from 1995)
1.23501
19952
No change from 1994
26603
(-3680 from 1994)
1.38445
19942
No change from 1993
30283
(-4567 from 1993)
1.55347
19932
(-1 from 1992)
34850
(-3608 from 1992)
1.76766
19921
No change from 1991
38458
(-5022 from 1991)
1.91841
19911
(+1 from 1990)
43480
(-2079 from 1990)
2.13827
19902
No change from 1989
45559
(-2029 from 1989)
2.21763
19892
No change from 1988
47588
(-2384 from 1988)
2.38874
19882
No change from 1987
49972
(-4878 from 1987)
2.59850
19872
No change from 1986
54850
(+5176 from 1986)
2.92656
19862
No change from 1985
49674
(+2666 from 1985)
2.69164
19852
(+1 from 1984)
47008
(+8234 from 1984)
2.54604
19843
(+1 from 1983)
38774
(+5481 from 1983)
2.15015
19834
(+13 from 1982)
33293
(+18438 from 1982)
1.86029
198217
(+17 from 1981)
14855
(+5980 from 1981)
0.81878
198134
(+6 from 1980)
8875
(+1578 from 1980)
0.49622
198040
(+27 from 1979)
7297
(+2849 from 1979)
0.40980
197967
(+20 from 1978)
4448
(+966 from 1978)
0.25811
197887
(+19 from 1977)
3482
(+776 from 1977)
0.21181
1977106
(+9 from 1976)
2706
(+418 from 1976)
0.16450
1976115
(+23 from 1975)
2288
(+299 from 1975)
0.14556
1975138
(+27 from 1974)
1989
(+364 from 1974)
0.12743
1974165
(+41 from 1973)
1625
(+375 from 1973)
0.10375
1973206
(+28 from 1972)
1250
(+74 from 1972)
0.08043
1972234
(+21 from 1971)
1176
(+14 from 1971)
0.07293
1971255
(+50 from 1970)
1162
(+235 from 1970)
0.06630
1970305
(+55 from 1969)
927
(+286 from 1969)
0.05060
1969360
(+39 from 1968)
641
(+99 from 1968)
0.03636
1968399
(+84 from 1967)
542
(+157 from 1967)
0.03170
1967483
(+100 from 1966)
385
(+123 from 1966)
0.02242
1966583
(+86 from 1965)
262
(+46 from 1965)
0.01492
1965669
(+102 from 1964)
216
(+35 from 1964)
0.01182
1964771
(+256 from 1963)
181
(+73 from 1963)
0.00925
19631027
(+86 from 1962)
108
(+13 from 1962)
0.00543
19621113
(+111 from 1961)
95
(+14 from 1961)
0.00469
19611224
(+263 from 1960)
81
(+26 from 1960)
0.00390
19601487
(+333 from 1959)
55
(+18 from 1959)
0.00264
19591820
(-56 from 1958)
37
(-1 from 1958)
0.00178
19581764
(+357 from 1957)
38
(+11 from 1957)
0.00184
19572121
(+200 from 1956)
27
(+4 from 1956)
0.00129
19562321
(+2054 from 1955)
23
(+15 from 1955)
0.00112
19554375
(-1997 from 1954)
8
(-13 from 1954)
0.00040
19542378
(+543 from 1953)
21
(+7 from 1953)
0.00105
19532921
(-795 from 1952)
14
(-9 from 1952)
0.00073
19522126
(+568 from 1951)
23
(+8 from 1951)
0.00121
19512694
(-42 from 1950)
15
No change from 1950
0.00081
19502652
(+524 from 1949)
15
(+4 from 1949)
0.00085
19493176
(-349 from 1948)
11
(-2 from 1948)
0.00063
19482827
(+413 from 1947)
13
(+2 from 1947)
0.00075
19473240
(+754 from 1946)
11
(+4 from 1946)
0.00061
19463994
(-1078 from 1945)
7
(-3 from 1945)
0.00043
19452916
(+30 from 1944)
10
No change from 1944
0.00074
19442946
(+94 from 1943)
10
No change from 1943
0.00073
19433040
(+403 from 1942)
10
(+2 from 1942)
0.00070
19423443
(+511 from 1941)
8
(+2 from 1941)
0.00058
19413954
(-504 from 1938)
6
(-1 from 1938)
0.00048
19400
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19390
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19383450
(+1144 from 1917)
7
(+2 from 1917)
0.00061
19370
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19360
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19350
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19340
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19330
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19320
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19310
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19300
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19290
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19280
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19270
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19260
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19250
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19240
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19230
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19220
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19210
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19200
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19190
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19180
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19174594
First SSA data recorded
5
First SSA data recorded
0.00044
19160
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19150
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19140
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19130
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19120
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19110
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19100
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19090
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19080
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19070
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19060
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19050
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19040
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19030
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19020
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19010
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19000
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18990
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18980
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18970
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18960
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18950
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18940
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18930
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18920
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18910
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18900
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18890
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18880
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18870
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18860
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18850
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18830
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Ashley

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#1322021#1402022#1012023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#1062021#902022#702023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#1312021#1032022#852023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#792021#572022#392023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#4322021#4662022#2582023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#3172021#2662022#1642023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#3232021#3452022#3262023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#5872021#5012022#4652023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#1412021#1952022#1702023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#2042021#1392022#1372023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#1462021#802022#832023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#1002021#1122022#962023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#2752021#1342022#1362023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#2672021#1772022#1622023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#3962021#4462022#3062023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#2482021#2502022#1772023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#1552021#1252022#1342023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#2742021#1542022#3262023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#2712021#2552022#1522023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#602021#1082022#492023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#3812021#3752022#2092023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#2652021#2322022#2552023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#3112021#2322022#3292023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#2892021#2452022#1962023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#2302021#1572022#1632023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#3932021#2122022#2152023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#2052021#2162022#1512023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#2182021#2262022#2572023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#1982021#3302022#3182023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#3182021#4302022#2662023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#1562021#2142022#1352023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#2492021#2512022#3182023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#3552021#4742022#1782023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#4152021#3342022#1672023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2622013#2642015#3432016

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#1962021#2452022#772023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#1762021#2422022#1572023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#2822021#2232022#1512023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#822010#1032011#1622015

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2262020#2802022#1972023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1142018#922019#1302021

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#972012#1932013#2242019

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1742021#1522022#732023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1982014#1922015#1022017

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1802019#1892020#1402021

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1952010#2092013#2232016

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1582016#2262018#2082019

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1582010#1352012#1952019

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1552013#1082014#1842015

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#522007#462008#642010

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#732012#842013#422014

Popularity Rankings for Ashley in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Philippines

Philippines flagPhilippines#92017

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#242013#152015#272017

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#822008#932010#902011

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#942019#912020#1032021

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#1712020#1572021

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#1592017#2392021#2272023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#2222020#1782021#1992022

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#1872010#1952011#1952012

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#2382013#3952014#4702022

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#2592019#3452020#2872021

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#2972022

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#3682017#3712018#4912019

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#6612021#3892022#4042023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#5082021#4102022#6552023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#5272020#4252021#8272022

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#4402013#4392014#4322017

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#7242015#5692016#5742018

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#8862018#7492020#9362021

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Ashley a Name for Boys or Girls?

Ashley is a unisex name, applicable to both boys and girls.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Ashley

Ashley in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Ashley Tisdale (Actress, born 1985): Known for her role in "High School Musical" and her music career.
  • Ashley Olsen (Fashion Designer, born 1986): Former child actress famous for "Full House," now a renowned fashion designer.
  • Ashley Judd (Actress, born 1968): Starred in movies like "Double Jeopardy" and is also a political activist.
  • Ashley Greene (Actress, born 1987): Best known for playing Alice Cullen in the "Twilight" film series.
  • Ashley Graham (Model, born 1987): A leading plus-size model and body positivity advocate.
  • Ashley Johnson (Actress, born 1983): Known for voice acting in "The Last of Us" video game and acting in the TV series "Blindspot."
  • Ashley Cole (Former Footballer, born 1980): Renowned for his time with Chelsea and Arsenal football clubs.
  • Ashley McBryde (Country Singer): Known for hits like "A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega."
  • Ashley Walters (Actor, born 1982): Known for his role in the TV series "Top Boy."
  • Ashley Benson (Actress, born 1989): Famous for her role as Hanna Marin in "Pretty Little Liars."
  • Ashley Abbott ("The Young and the Restless," 1982 TV Series): A main character in this long-running soap opera.
  • Ashley Banks ("The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," 1994 TV Series): Played by Tatyana Ali, known for her fashionable and sassy character.
  • Ashley Wilkes ("Gone with the Wind," 1939 Film): A prominent character from this classic film and novel.
  • Ashley City (North Dakota, USA): A small city known for its community-focused lifestyle.
  • Ashley Borough (Pennsylvania, USA): A borough in Luzerne County, settled in 1830 and incorporated in 1870.

Similar Names to Ashley

Sibling Names for Ashley

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Have your own thoughts or memories linked to the name Ashley? Tell me your stories in the comments, or pass this post along to friends who might treasure the name as much as I do!
Helen Doanna

Helen Doanna

Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

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Child Development Specialist, Child-care Coordinator, Family Support Specialist, Content Writer, Communications Specialist, Educational Consultant, STEAM Teacher

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1. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Literature and Journalism
  • Focus: In-depth knowledge of Literature, knowledge and skills to perceive, create literature or work in related fields; Basic knowledge of communications.

2. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Education Faculty
  • Focus: Core knowledge of social sciences and humanities – the root for the development of progressive values of education, Multicultural communication in education, Contemporary education in the context of globalization, Learning in the digital technology era, Basic issues of STEAM education, Classroom Management, Special education.

3. Oregon State University, Oregan, US

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Human Development and Family Sciences – Child Development
  • Focus: Different stages of development, from infancy to adulthood; Develop a strong foundation for a career in early childhood programs or classrooms; Learn strategies for supporting young children’s development in early childhood settings.
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Helen is an experienced educational specialist and content creator, known for her innovative approach to children’s learning. With a background in literature and child development, she composes engaging educational content for SimpleKids.net. Her work emphasizes creativity, engagement, and simplicity, aiming to make learning enjoyable and accessible for children and their families.

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