Name meaning & stats

Ashley

Ashley means “ash-tree clearing” (Old English origin). 874,304 US babies since 1940, peak 1987. Notable Ashleys are 2.2× over-represented as basketball players.

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What it means

“ash-tree clearing”

Old EnglishWell documented

From ash tree + clearing; first a surname.

In US birth records

Peak year: 1987

874,304 US babies were named Ashley between 1940 and 2025.

Where Ashleys end up

Career	vs expected	Confidence
Actor	1.4×	High · 77 people
Singer	1.5×	High · 39 people
Basketball player	2.2×	High · 36 people
Footballer	2.1×	High · 35 people

Among notable women who are basketball players, Ashleys show up 2.2× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.

Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.

One more thing…

Ashley has a surprise career: 1.9×

Reveal it in Ashley's story

Spelling family

Ashley is the main spelling

Ashley 96%
Ashly 1%
Ashlie 1%
Ashely 1%
Ashli 1%
Ashlei <1%
Asheley <1%
Ashlye <1%
Ashlley <1%

Names that sound the same, grouped by Heyotag. Share of US babies since 1940.

Name twins (peaked around 1987)