Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ash
BoyEnglish, Old English· “ash tree”
- Meaning
- ash tree
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- ASH
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,177
- US babies 2025
- 175
- Best rank
- #1,064 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2023
Meaning and origin of Ash
Ash is an English and Old English name that means “ash tree”.
Ash comes from the ash tree, from the Old English æsc. In Norse mythology, the world tree Yggdrasil is often described as an ash. The name is also a short form of names like Asher and Ashton. As a given name it has a simple, strong feel and a natural image. Ash trees were valued for their tough, flexible wood, used for tool handles, spears and bows, and the tree appears in many English place names such as Ashford and Ashby.
Other spellings with the same sound: Ashe.
Popularity over time
Ash first appears in US Social Security records in 1975. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,064 in 2023, the same year it reached its highest count of 204 babies. In 2025, 175 babies were named Ash, and it ranked #1,177 nationally. That is 77% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #3,431 in 2000, #2,430 in 2010, and #1,177 in 2025. Of the 2,535 US boys named Ash since records began, 45% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 944 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Link, Aariv, Zabdiel, Zeus, and Gadiel.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ash ranked highest in Iowa, Oregon, and Utah.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | #580 | 5 |
| Oregon | #617 | 5 |
| Utah | #709 | 5 |
| Massachusetts | #796 | 5 |
| Ohio | #806 | 10 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 94% of US babies named Ash over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Ash is usually pronounced ASH, with one syllable. It has three letters, starts with A and ends in “-sh”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Ashe.
Middle names for Ash
A few middle names that flow with Ash: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ash
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Lists that include Ash
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ash mean?
Ash is an English and Old English name that means “ash tree”.
What is the origin of the name Ash?
Ash has English and Old English roots. Ash comes from the ash tree, from the Old English æsc.
Is Ash a popular name?
Not especially. Ash ranked #1,177 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ash a boy or girl name?
Ash is mainly a boy's name. About 94% of US babies named Ash over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Ash?
Ash is usually pronounced ASH. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings