Ashok
A boy's name of Sanskrit origin with 258 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A male given name from Hindi.
Ashok is a boy's baby name of Sanskrit origin, from the Sanskrit Ashoka meaning 'without sorrow' or 'free from grief,' combining a (without) and shoka (sorrow, grief). Emperor Ashoka the Great (304–232 BCE) is one of history's most celebrated rulers, who converted to Buddhism after the bloody Kalinga War and thereafter spread Buddhist teachings across Asia.
Ashok carries one of history's great moral transformations — a name associated with renouncing violence and embracing compassion, making it one of South Asia's most meaningful masculine names.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Ashok's final sounds are sharp, distinct — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Ashok follows that masculine pattern.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Ashok'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
Ashok has 35+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1950.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 24 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 39 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 26 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 53 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 72 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 34 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 10 | — |
The Story of Ashok
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1975, Ashok is a Gen X staple. Boys named Ashok are most likely born between 1965 and 1985.
How rare is Ashok?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Ashok is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1950, peaked in the 1970s with 72 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Ashok by the numbers
- Would fill 5 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(35 years, 1950–2018)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 5 | #12325 |
| 2017 | 7 | #9776 |
| 2015 | 5 | #12242 |
| 2011 | 7 | #9694 |
| 2007 | 5 | #12523 |
| 2005 | 10 | #7151 |
| 2004 | 6 | #10059 |
| 2002 | 5 | #10821 |
| 2001 | 7 | #8406 |
| 2000 | 6 | #9177 |
| 1993 | 7 | #6874 |
| 1992 | 7 | #6717 |
| 1990 | 12 | #4429 |
| 1987 | 7 | #5501 |
| 1985 | 7 | #5186 |
| 1984 | 7 | #5011 |
| 1983 | 7 | #4957 |
| 1982 | 10 | #3981 |
| 1981 | 9 | #4177 |
| 1980 | 6 | #5574 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashok a boy's or girl's name?
When was Ashok most popular?
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Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1950–2018