name
Common
Ashley
ASH-lee
Ashley (name) means a given name, used for both men and women, originally taken from an English surname and place name. Example: “Ashley started a new job in marketing this spring.”
name
1
A given name, used for both men and women, originally taken from an English surname and place name.
"Ashley started a new job in marketing this spring."
"Her grandfather, also named Ashley, grew up in Yorkshire."
2
A surname, and the name of several English villages and towns.
"The Ashley family has owned the estate for generations."
How to use Ashley
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common English first name and surname, originally the name of a place (a clearing full of ash trees).
Memory tip
In the US it usually reads as a girl's name; in the UK it's used for both boys and girls.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Ashleys
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ started a new job in marketing this spring.
Etymology
From Old English elements meaning "ash tree" and "clearing" — literally a clearing among ash trees.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Ashley
See all rhymes for Ashley →Frequently asked questions
What does “Ashley” mean?
The word “Ashley” means a given name, used for both men and women, originally taken from an English surname and place name. In plain terms, a common English first name and surname, originally the name of a place (a clearing full of ash trees).
How do you pronounce “Ashley”?
“Ashley” is pronounced ASH-lee (/ˈæʃli/ in IPA).
How do you use “Ashley” in a sentence?
Here is “Ashley” used in a sentence: “Ashley started a new job in marketing this spring.”
What part of speech is “Ashley”?
“Ashley” is a name.
Where does the word “Ashley” come from?
The word “Ashley” comes from Old English. From Old English elements meaning "ash tree" and "clearing" — literally a clearing among ash trees.
Is “Ashley” a common word?
“Ashley” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Ashley” have?
“Ashley” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a given name, used for both men and women, originally taken from an English surname and place name.
Is "Ashley" a boy's name or a girl's name?
Ashley is used for both men and women. It began more commonly as a male name taken from an English surname, but in the modern English-speaking world it is given far more often to girls.
Where does the name "Ashley" come from?
Ashley originated as an English surname and place name before being adopted as a given name. As a place name it belongs to several English villages and towns.
Should "Ashley" always be capitalized?
Yes. Whether it functions as a given name, a surname, or a place name, Ashley is a proper noun and is always written with a capital A.
What is the difference between "Ashley" and "Ashleigh"?
Both spellings sound the same. "Ashley" is the traditional form shared with the surname and place name, while "Ashleigh" is a modern respelling used mainly as a feminine given name.
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