Ashley
Ashley first appears in US records in 1917. It peaked in 1987, when 54,856 girls were given the name; in 2025 there were 1,829.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Ashley popular?
Declining Ashley is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1987 peak.
| 2020s | 11,626 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 37,237 | |
| 2000s | 133,051 | |
| 1990s | 301,820 | |
| 1980s | 352,185 | |
| 1970s | 21,053 | |
| 1960s | 2,566 | |
| 1950s | 221 | |
| 1940s | 86 | |
| 1930s | 7 | |
| 1910s | 5 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Ashley mean?
Ashley is an English name from Old English æsc (“ash tree”) and lēah (“wood, clearing”) — “ash-tree meadow.” It began as a place name and surname and was originally a boy’s name before becoming chiefly female in the United States.
Nicknames for Ashley
- Ash
- Ashe
Variants & spellings
- Ashleigh
- Ashlee
- Ashly
Explore related names
Frequently asked questions
Is Ashley a boy or a girl name?
Ashley is most commonly used as a girl name.
Is Ashley a popular name right now?
Ashley is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1987 peak.
How popular is the name Ashley?
In 2025, Ashley ranked #164 among girls’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Ashley most popular?
Ashley was most popular in 1987, when about 54,856 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What are common nicknames for Ashley?
Common nicknames for Ashley include Ash, Ashe.