Rising since 2013, #5,917 for girls today.
Popularity of Asal since 1979
Babies named Asal per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 11 |
| 2010s | 55 |
| 2020s | 98 |
Meaning & origin
Asal is a sweet Persian and Arabic name meaning 'honey,' carried into the American naming landscape by families with Persian and Arabic heritage. First recorded in U.S. birth data in 1979, the name remained rare for decades before beginning a steady ascent in the 2010s. Its trajectory has been rising since 2013, and it reached its peak rank of #5,917 in 2024, suggesting growing appeal among parents drawn to short, melodic international names. In 2025, roughly 1 in 80,363 baby girls received the name, with the greatest usage concentrated in California. The name also appears in other forms, such as Asel and Asala, which are occasionally used across the Middle East and South Asia. The ethnographic and cultural resonance of 'honey' as a positive, warm attribute contributes to its appeal, though Asal remains a distinctive choice outside communities where it is traditional.
Asal is directly borrowed from Persian عسل (asal) meaning 'honey', itself from Arabic عَسَل (ʿasal). The name has been used in Persian-speaking cultures as a feminine given name, evoking sweetness and delicacy. It has also seen usage in other Muslim-majority countries, particularly among families of Persian or Arabic heritage.
Where Asal is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Asi, Sally
Sibling names for Asal
Names that share Asal's style, for a brother or sister.
