Is Ashanti a boy's or girl's name?

Ashanti is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 767 recorded births.

When was Ashanti most popular?

Ashanti reached its peak popularity in 2002 with 2,946 births that year. It is currently ranked #1976 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Ashanti?

Ashanti is currently ranked #1976 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 12,486 babies since 1970.

Ashanti

An uncommon African pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysAfricanDeclining Also a pet name

#1976▼ 279in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A member of a nation and ethnic group of Akan origin, found mainly in Ghana and Ivory Coast.

Ashanti is a girl's and boy's baby name of African origin, from the Akan people of Ghana, where Ashanti (Asante) is both an ethnic group and a historical kingdom meaning 'because of war' or 'warlike.' The name gained significant American visibility through the R&B singer Ashanti, who rose to fame in the early 2000s.

With over 12,400 U.S. births, Ashanti has been a meaningful name in African American communities — celebrating West African heritage and a powerful cultural identity.

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Popularity Over Time

Ashanti was #533 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #1976, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Ashanti
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	552	#1824	▼
2010s	1,846	#1298	▼
2000s	6,483	#723	▲
1990s	2,173	#954	▲
1980s	984	#1497	▲
1970s	448	#2528	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(55 years, 1970–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Ashanti
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	99	#1976	-22 (-18.2%)
2023	121	#1697	+2 (1.7%)
2022	119	#1741	+15 (14.4%)
2021	104	#1897	-5 (-4.6%)
2020	109	#1808	-52 (-32.3%)
2019	161	#1395	-3 (-1.8%)
2018	164	#1370	+23 (16.3%)
2017	141	#1551	-20 (-12.4%)
2016	161	#1433	+4 (2.5%)
2015	157	#1463	-27 (-14.7%)
2014	184	#1293	-25 (-12.0%)
2013	209	#1149	+9 (4.5%)
2012	200	#1214	-36 (-15.3%)
2011	236	#1046	+3 (1.3%)
2010	233	#1063	-32 (-12.1%)
2009	265	#999	-27 (-9.2%)
2008	292	#932	-6 (-2.0%)
2007	298	#911	-5 (-1.7%)
2006	303	#875	-95 (-23.9%)
2005	398	#695	-134 (-25.2%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Ashanti as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Ashanti has also been given to 767 boys in the U.S. since 1970.

Unranked

Current rank

767

Total births

1979

Peak year

Compare Ashanti as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Ashanti be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Ashanti is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #1976. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Ashanti has two lives

Ashanti, the baby name

#1976girls

12,486 babies

Currently viewing

Ashanti, the pet name

#5366pet name

12 pets

View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1970–2024) · Methodology