A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Ashby since 1880
Babies named Ashby per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2017, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ashby's real moment was 1885.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 28 |
| 1890s | 0 | 24 |
| 1900s | 0 | 29 |
| 1910s | 0 | 150 |
| 1920s | 0 | 190 |
| 1930s | 0 | 124 |
| 1940s | 0 | 152 |
| 1950s | 0 | 96 |
| 1960s | 5 | 79 |
| 1970s | 24 | 72 |
| 1980s | 87 | 98 |
| 1990s | 132 | 127 |
| 2000s | 222 | 182 |
| 2010s | 211 | 228 |
| 2020s | 62 | 76 |
Meaning & origin
Ashby is a unisex name of English origin, derived from a surname and place name meaning 'ash tree farm.' It first appeared in U.S. records in 1880 and reached its peak popularity in 1885, but fell out of common use shortly after. The name has been on a rising trajectory since 1990, reflecting a broader trend of surname-inspired names gaining appeal. While it has never been among the most popular names, its quiet revival makes it a distinctive choice. Ashby has not been strongly associated with any particular region or state.
Ashby is an English surname and place name derived from Old English 'æsc' (ash tree) and 'bȳ' (farmstead or village). It originated as a habitational name from any of the numerous places named Ashby in England, such as Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire. The name has been used as a given name since the 19th century revival of surname-names, and experienced a modest resurgence in the late 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ash
Variants: Ashbie
Sibling names for Ashby
Names that share Ashby's style, for a brother or sister.
