Asha
How to say it: AH-shuh · /ˈɑʃə/
In Sanskrit means 'hope' or 'wish'; in Swahili/East African usage also means 'life'.
Asha was the 1,126th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 160 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1990s, its births are down about 11% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #1,171 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #1,126 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 160 |
| Share of births | 1 in 20,720 |
| Peak decade | 1990s |
| Change over 10 years | −11% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #1,171 |
| In France, 2025 | #2,541 among girls’ names, 5 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
After cresting in the 1990s, Asha stayed in steady circulation without fading away. Now sitting close to that high, it looks likely to ease down a little.
What goes with it
Softly breathed in two syllables, Asha feels gentle and portable with a virtue name quality. Ash makes a natural short form, and Amara shares its style.
Nicknames
- Ash
Honouring a Asha in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Asha is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Dutch, English, French, Hindi.
In France: #2,541 for girls in 2025.
Famous people named Asha
- Asha Bhosle (1933–2026)Indian playback singer
- Asha Parekh (born 1942)Indian actress
- Asha Negi (born 1989)Indian television actress
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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