Ashley
Ashley is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Ash tree clearing or meadow.
Origin and history
Ashley is derived from an Old English surname meaning ash tree clearing. Originally used primarily as a masculine name in England, it transitioned into an immensely popular feminine name in the United States during the late 20th century. It remains a widely recognized classic modern name in America.
Popularity in the United States
859,857 babies in the United States have been named Ashley since 1880. It ranks #20 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #147.
States where it is most popular
- CA (11.4 %)
- TX (9.2 %)
- NY (5.7 %)
- FL (5.4 %)
- OH (4.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 5 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 7 |
| 1940-1950 | 86 |
| 1950-1960 | 221 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,566 |
| 1970-1980 | 21,053 |
| 1980-1990 | 352,185 |
| 1990-2000 | 301,820 |
| 2000-2010 | 133,051 |
| 2010-2019 | 37,237 |
| 2020-2029 | 11,626 |
Famous people named Ashley
- Ashley Judd: Actress, Activist
- Ashley Olsen: Fashion Designer, Actress
- Ashley Park: Actress, Singer
Nicknames
Ash, Ashie
Fun facts
- Ashley was the first or second most popular name for newborn girls in the United States throughout the 1990s.
- Originally used almost exclusively as a male name in Great Britain, it evolved into a predominantly female name in the U.S.