Asher

♂ Boy

Pronounced ASH-er /ˈæʃ.ər/High

Meaning: Happy; blessed; fortunateHigh

In 30 seconds: From the Hebrew for 'happy' and 'blessed,' Asher was one of the twelve sons of Jacob and the founder of a tribe of Israel. It has rapidly climbed into the U.S. top 20 boys' names.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningHappy; blessed; fortunate

Peak year2017

Total births (all-time)≈ 49,114

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Asher comes from the Hebrew Asher (אָשֵׁר), derived from the root ashar meaning 'to be happy' or 'blessed.' In the Hebrew Bible, Asher was the eighth son of Jacob, born to Zilpah. His tribal territory was the fertile region along the Mediterranean coast in what is now northern Israel and Lebanon.

The name was used in Puritan and Jewish communities but was not widely popular through most of American history. It entered the U.S. top 100 around 2009 and has risen sharply, reaching the top 20 by the early 2020s, reflecting the broader trend toward short, cheerful Hebrew biblical names.

Did you know? In Genesis, when Leah's handmaid Zilpah bore her second son, Leah exclaimed B'oshri! ('How happy I am!'), and named the child Asher. The tribe of Asher settled in the fertile coastal plain of northern Canaan, associated with agricultural abundance.

Variations

AsharAser

Nicknames

Ash

Famous Bearers

★Asher Roth (1985–)
American rapper and recording artist.

If you like Asher…

Ezra— shares the short, cheerful Old Testament heritage

Levi— fellow brief Hebrew tribal name enjoying a modern surge

Noah— another brief biblical Hebrew classic dominating charts

Silas— shares the crisp biblical feel with the same vintage-new appeal

Elijah— equally strong Hebrew prophet name in the top ranks

Frequently Asked

What does the name Asher mean?

Asher comes from Hebrew ashar, meaning 'happy' or 'blessed,' borne by the eighth son of Jacob and founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

How do you pronounce Asher?

Asher is said ASH-er /ˈæʃ.ər/ — two syllables, with stress on the first.

Is Asher a boy or girl name?

Asher is primarily a boy's name, though it has begun to appear occasionally for girls.

How popular is Asher?

Asher has climbed rapidly into the U.S. top 20 boys' names, driven by the popularity of short, positive Hebrew biblical names.