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Ashley Girl

Popularity: #123 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationASH-lee / ˈæʃli

English; Old English

Meaning

Ash tree meadow; dweller near the ash tree

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Ashley has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "æsc," meaning "ash tree," and "lēah," meaning "clearing" or "meadow." Thus, the literal meaning of Ashley can be interpreted as "ash tree meadow" or "clearing where ash trees grow." The name first appeared in England as a surname before transitioning into a given name. Its earliest recorded use as a personal name can be traced back to the 12th century, although it was not widely adopted until the 19th century.

Historically, the name gained prominence through various notable figures and literary works. One significant milestone was its use in the 19th century by the author Jane Austen in her novel "Emma," published in 1815, where the character Ashley Wilkes became a memorable figure in American literature. Additionally, the name was associated with the Ashley family in England, who were prominent landowners and contributed to the name's recognition. The name's usage was further solidified in the 20th century, particularly in the context of American culture.

Culturally, Ashley has been associated with nature due to its etymological roots, symbolizing strength and resilience, much like the ash tree itself. The name has also been linked to various traditions and has been embraced in different cultures, often reflecting a connection to the natural world. A diminutive form, Ash, has emerged as a more casual or affectionate variant, although it is less commonly used as a formal name. Overall, Ashley's historical and cultural significance is marked by its evolution from a geographical descriptor to a widely recognized personal name.

Trend Summary

Ashley was highly popular in the United States during the late 20th century, particularly peaking in the 1990s.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Ashleigh
  • Ashlee
  • Aisley

International Variants

  • Aisling (Irish)
  • Asli (Turkish)

Famous people named Ashley

Ashley Judd is an actress and political activist best known for Double Jeopardy, Heat, and Divergent.

Ashley Olsen is an actress and fashion designer best known for Full House, The Row, and Mary-Kate and Ashley's Adventures.

Ashley Greene is an actress best known for the Twilight series, A Warrior's Heart, and The Apparition.

Ashley Tisdale is an actress and singer best known for High School Musical, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, and Phineas and Ferb.

Ashley Benson is an actress best known for Pretty Little Liars, Spring Breakers, and Pixels.

Ashley Scott is an actress and model best known for Birds of Prey, Jericho, and The 4400.

Ashley Eckstein is an actress and entrepreneur best known for her role as Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and founder of Her Universe.

Fictional characters named Ashley

Ashley Williams is a fictional character from the video game series Evil Dead. He is a chainsaw-wielding hero who battles the forces of evil and the undead.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Ashley was first seen in the United States in 1917. Ashley has ranked as high as #3 nationally, which occurred in 1987, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Ashley has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Ashley (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 398
18%
FL 275
13%
CA 217
10%
NY 150
7%
GA 94
4%
NJ 82
4%
NC 79
4%
VA 67
3%
TN 65
3%
MD 57
3%
IL 55
3%
MA 53
2%
AZ 53
2%
CO 43
2%
PA 40
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19175
19387
19416
19428
194310
194410
194510
19467
194711
194813
194911
195015
195115
195223
195314
195421
19558
195623
195727
195838
195937
196055
196181
196295
1963108
1964181
1965216
1966262
1967385
1968542
1969641
1970927
19711,163
19721,176
19731,250
19741,625
19751,989
19762,288
19772,706
19783,482
19794,448
19807,296
19818,874
198214,854
198333,291
198438,774
198547,008
198649,672
198754,853
198849,975
198947,588
199045,560
199143,477
199238,461
199334,849
199430,283
199526,606
199623,678
199720,896
199819,874
199918,136
200018,000
200116,531
200215,344
200314,519
200414,377
200513,275
200612,353
200711,428
20089,408
20097,815
20106,317
20115,403
20124,700
20133,942
20143,559
20153,427
20163,044
20172,528
20182,280
20192,030
20201,807
20211,700
20221,863
20232,182
20242,231