Ashlei
A girl's name of Old English origin with 2,044 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
At 6 letters and two syllables, Ashlei hits the middle ground most parents look for: long enough to feel complete, short enough for everyday use. It has been used as a girl's name in the U.S. since 1971, with 2,044 total recorded births.
Ashlei is not in the current top 1,000, which means your child is unlikely to share the name with a classmate — a plus for parents who value distinctiveness.
Ashlei is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Ashlei is a girl's baby name of Old English origin, a variant spelling of Ashley, from the place name meaning 'ash tree meadow.' The -ei ending is an unconventional twist on one of the most popular girls' names of the 1980s and 1990s.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Ashlei's final sounds are open, approachable — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. In English-language naming, many feminine names end on open vowels or soft consonants, creating a melodic, approachable quality. Ashlei follows that feminine pattern.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Ashlei's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Ashlei has 42+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1971.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 51 | #11273 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 415 | #3843 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 711 | #2113 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 810 | #1811 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 57 | #6859 | — |
The Story of Ashlei
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1987, Ashlei is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Ashlei are most likely born between 1977 and 1997.
How rare is Ashlei?
With 2,044 total births on record, Ashlei remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1971, peaked in the 1980s with 810 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Ashlei by the numbers
- Would fill 43 school buses
- Meeting one Ashlei per day would take 5.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(42 years, 1971–2014)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 6 | #14802 |
| 2013 | 15 | #7793 |
| 2012 | 6 | #15197 |
| 2011 | 11 | #9803 |
| 2010 | 13 | #8770 |
| 2009 | 26 | #5401 |
| 2008 | 22 | #6149 |
| 2007 | 28 | #5112 |
| 2006 | 50 | #3270 |
| 2005 | 40 | #3656 |
| 2004 | 52 | #3001 |
| 2003 | 49 | #3049 |
| 2002 | 55 | #2749 |
| 2001 | 47 | #3014 |
| 2000 | 46 | #3027 |
| 1999 | 36 | #3447 |
| 1998 | 63 | #2248 |
| 1997 | 49 | #2595 |
| 1996 | 66 | #2086 |
| 1995 | 69 | #1983 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashlei a boy's or girl's name?
When was Ashlei most popular?
How popular is the name Ashlei?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1971–2014