Girl’s name · English

Ashley

How to say it: ASH-lee · /ˈæʃli/

Ash tree meadow — from the Old English elements aesc (ash tree) and leah (meadow or clearing).

Ashley was the 172nd most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 1,829 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1980s, its births are down about 44% in ten years, and it is projected to hold at #172 by 2030.

Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures

#172for girls in 2025
1 in 1,622US babies
1,829born in 2025
#172projected for 2030
1980sits peak decade
1 in 68chance a classmate shares it

Key facts

Key facts about Ashley
Rank among girls’ names, 2025#172
Babies born in 20251,829
Share of births1 in 1,622
Peak decade1980s
Change over 10 years−44%
Projected rank for 2030 (estimate)#172
In France, 2025#441 among girls’ names, 95 births

Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.

Its life, decade by decade

Once at its height in the 1980s, Ashley has grown much rarer since. Far below that peak, stability seems likely in the years ahead.

1900195020002020–25
Peak: 20,314 per million births, 1980s.

What goes with it

Airy and soft with breathy sounds and a gentle feeling tied to nature. Autumn shares its style and makes a harmonious pair.

In the classroom

In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Ashley is about 1 in 68.

Around the world

This spelling is used in English, French, Welsh.

In France: #441 for girls in 2025.

Ireland: #450.

Famous people named Ashley

From Wikidata and Wikipedia

Good to know

  • Ashley Madison is a widely reported extramarital-dating service

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