Asher Name Meaning

Three babies in green, pink, and blue outfits.

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Looking for a name that encompasses all of the wonderful feelings surrounding a newborn? You've found it with Asher.

Asher is a Hebrew name meaning "happy" and "blessed." It's derived from the Hebrew word osher, meaning "happiness." Asher is also a biblical name from the Old Testament. While it used to be reserved for boys, it is now considered a fun, gender-neutral option.

  • Origin: Asher is a Hebrew name meaning "happy" and "blessed."
  • Gender: While it used to be more common for boys, Asher is now a popular option for girls, too.
  • Pronunciation: ash-er

Although many baby names are separated by gender, Verywell Family believes that sex does not need to play a role in your name selection process. It’s important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best.

How Popular Is the Name Asher?

The name Asher didn't appear on the radar until 1983 when it broke into the top 1,000 names in the U.S. It slowly but surely made its way up the list, making it to the top 100 in 2014. In 2019 it ranked No. 43, and in 2020—its most popular year—it claimed the No. 32 spot in the United States.

In 2007, the popular TV show "Gossip Girl" featured a recurring character named Asher. In 2014, the TV drama "How to Get Away With Murder" introduced viewers to the entitled yet still-likable Asher Millstone, which undoubtedly increased the name's popularity throughout its six seasons. Given Asher's ranking leap since the 1980s, we can most likely expect to see it become a more common gender-neutral option in the United States.

Name Variations

Some of the name variations for Asher include:

  • Ashar (Hebrew)
  • Ashbel (Hebrew)
  • Ashe (Old English)
  • Ashor (Hebrew)

Similar Names

Other popular names for those who like Asher:

  • Ashton
  • Carter
  • Grayson
  • Hudson
  • Landon
  • Levi
  • Liam
  • Noah
  • Owen
  • Sawyer
  • Wyatt

Other gender-neutral names starting with A:

  • Adrian
  • Aiden
  • Alex
  • Aspen
  • Aubrey
  • Avery

Common Nicknames

The most common nicknames for Asher include:

  • Ash: A simple yet strong nickname perfect for little ones with fun, outgoing personalities. Ash suggests someone artistic, confident, and admirable.
  • Ashy: Suggests a playful, inquisitive personality. Ashy is lovable, friendly, and happy.

Suggested Sibling Names

Here are some sibling name options that pair well with Asher:

  • Archer
  • Audrey
  • August
  • Autumn
  • Ava
  • Emma
  • Evan
  • Oliver

Famous People Named Asher

Asher has been the name of a few famous people and fictional characters over the years.

Famous Ashers

  • Asher Angel, American child actor best known for the Disney Channel series "Andi Mack"
  • Asher Benjamin, American architect born in 1773 who deeply influenced the way cities and towns look in New England
  • Asher Brown Durand, American painter and one of the founders of the Hudson River School of Landscape Painting
  • Asher Roth, American rapper known for his debut single "I Love College"

Fictional Ashers

  • Asher Millstone, the entitled, yet hilarious classmate in the popular TV drama "How to Get Away With Murder"
  • Asher Lev, the protagonist in Chaim Potok's novel "My Name Is Asher Lev"
  • Asher Hornsby, a recurring character on the TV series, "Gossip Girl"

More Baby Names

Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options: 

1 Source
Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Social Security Administration. Popularity of name.

By Alex Vance
Alex Vance is a freelance writer covering topics ranging from pregnancy and parenting to health and wellness. She is a former news and features writer for Moms.com and Blog Writer for The HOTH. Her motherhood-related pieces have been published on Scary Mommy, Motherhood Understood, and Thought Catalog.