Holding steady.
Popularity of Ashkan since 1978
Babies named Ashkan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 62 |
| 1990s | 91 |
| 2000s | 36 |
| 2010s | 19 |
| 2020s | 18 |
Meaning & origin
Ashkan first entered U.S. records in 1978 and reached its peak popularity in 1992. Despite never ranking among the top 1000 names nationally, it has maintained a stable trajectory of use over the decades, with consistent but modest annual counts. The name is most commonly found in communities with Persian heritage, reflecting its enduring cultural significance. Its meaning remains open to interpretation, with some linking it to the sky and others to ancient Parthian royalty.
Ashkan is a Persian name of uncertain etymology. It may be derived from the Avestan word 'asman' meaning 'sky' or 'heaven', or it could be connected to the Parthian Arsacid dynasty, whose founder was Arsaces (in Persian, Ashk). The name has been in consistent but modest use in Iran and among the Iranian diaspora.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ash, Kan
Variants: Ashkhan, Askan
Sibling names for Ashkan
Names that share Ashkan's style, for a brother or sister.
