Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Asher
BoyHebrew· “happy, blessed”
- Meaning
- happy, blessed
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- ASH-ur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #28
- US babies 2025
- 7,456
- Best rank
- #20 (2022)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Asher
Asher is a Hebrew name that means “happy, blessed”.
Asher is a Hebrew name meaning happy or blessed. In the Book of Genesis, Asher is the eighth son of Jacob, and his mother Leah names him for her happiness at his birth. He became the ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The name was long used in Jewish families and later found favor with Puritans. In recent decades it has spread widely in the United States, valued for its warm meaning and soft sound. It feels both old and fresh, and it pairs well with many surnames. Ash is a natural short form.
Other spellings with the same sound: Ashur, Ascher.
Popularity over time
Asher has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 42 different years. Its best national rank was #20 in 2022, the same year it reached its highest count of 8,418 babies. In 2025, 7,456 babies were named Asher, and it ranked #28 nationally. That is 45% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #2,055 in 1920, #3,047 in 1950, #1,111 in 1980, #578 in 2000, #138 in 2010, and #28 in 2025. Of the 111,227 US boys named Asher since records began, 44% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 47,998 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Leo, Maverick, Levi, Ezekiel, and Kai.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Asher ranked highest in West Virginia, Idaho, and Georgia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | #7 | 67 |
| Idaho | #9 | 76 |
| Georgia | #10 | 306 |
| Kentucky | #11 | 171 |
| North Dakota | #11 | 31 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Asher over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Asher is usually pronounced ASH-ur, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with A and ends in “-er”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Ashur and Ascher.
Middle names for Asher
A few middle names that flow with Asher: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Asher
Similar names
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Lists that include Asher
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Asher mean?
Asher is a Hebrew name that means “happy, blessed”.
What is the origin of the name Asher?
Asher has Hebrew roots. Asher is a Hebrew name meaning happy or blessed.
Is Asher a popular name?
Yes. Asher ranked #28 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Asher a boy or girl name?
Asher is mainly a boy's name. About 99% of US babies named Asher over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Asher?
Asher is usually pronounced ASH-ur. 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