Girl · 2nd of 27,321
Ashley
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
873,844
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1987
Peak Popularity Year
55,262
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Ashley stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Ashley originates from Old English, meaning 'ash tree meadow'. It evolved from Æscleah to its modern form. Ashley's traits are often seen as modern and trendy, with no biblical relevance. It gained widespread popularity in the late 20th century and remains a common name today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈæʃli/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Ashley is derived from the Old English words 'æsc' meaning 'ash tree' and 'leah' meaning 'clearing' or 'meadow'. Therefore, it originally referred to a clearing or meadow where ash trees grew.
Meaning
ash tree meadow
Language Evolution
Æscleah, Ashley
Historical Usage
Ashley gained popularity as a given name in the 20th century, becoming especially favored for girls in the 1980s and 1990s.
Variants & Derivatives
Ash, Ashlee, Aisley, Aisly
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Ashley is perceived as a trendy and modern name, widely used in English-speaking countries and often associated with a youthful and vibrant image.
Famous People
Ashley Judd, Ashley Tisdale, Ashley Graham, Ashley Olsen
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 55,262 peak births in 1987
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 9 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 948th of 7545 | 839 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1052nd of 6773 | 718 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 844th of 7552 | 1,485 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 428th of 10718 | 5,697 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 507th of 16616 | 5,542 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 2011th of 24088 | 990 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3578th of 23106 | 373 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 9107th of 9107 | 5 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 5118th of 9204 | 51 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1631st of 12526 | 783 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 157th of 19264 | 30,396 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2nd of 27321 | 587,803 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 10th of 35406 | 208,376 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 116th of 30306 | 30,593 |