Ash

♂ Boy

Pronounced ASH /æʃ/High

Meaning: Ash tree; from Old English aesc (the ash tree, Fraxinus excelsior)High

In 30 seconds: An English tree name meaning 'ash tree,' from Old English aesc. The ash was sacred in Norse mythology as Yggdrasil — the World Tree that connects all nine realms. Known to Pokémon fans worldwide as the trainer Ash Ketchum.

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Origin HighEnglish

MeaningAsh tree; from Old English aesc (the ash tree, Fraxinus excelsior)

U.S. rank (2024)#1147 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births182 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,360

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Ash comes from Old English aesc (the ash tree). The ash was sacred in both Norse and Celtic traditions. As a given name it is modern, following the trend for short tree names like Oak, Elm, and Cedar.

Ash ranked #1147 for boys in 2024.

Did you know? Yggdrasil, the World Tree of Norse mythology, is specifically an ash tree — making Ash a name that literally carries the weight of the cosmos in Old Norse tradition. It is the tree around which all of existence — the nine realms — is organized.

Overall data confidence 96%

Behind the Name — Ash — Old English etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

AshleyAshton

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Ash Ketchum (fictional)
The protagonist of the Pokémon animated series (1997–2023), known for his quest to 'catch 'em all.'

If you like Ash…

Rowan— tree name with the same British nature-naming heritage

Cedar— tree name with the same short, woody American quality

Elm— dignified tree name in the same Old English tradition

Birch— tree name in the same one-syllable British nature-name category

Hawthorn— Old English tree name with the same folkloric natural heritage

Frequently Asked

What does the name Ash mean?

Ash means 'ash tree,' from Old English aesc. The ash tree is Yggdrasil, the World Tree of Norse mythology connecting the nine realms.

How do you pronounce Ash?

It's said ASH — one syllable.

Is Ash a boy or girl name?

Ash is used for both sexes.

How popular is Ash?

Ash ranked #1147 for U.S. boys in 2024.