Declining since 1991, #6,838 for girls today.
Popularity of Ashleigh since 1966
Babies named Ashleigh per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 53 |
| 1970s | 846 |
| 1980s | 9,884 |
| 1990s | 13,195 |
| 2000s | 6,487 |
| 2010s | 1,235 |
| 2020s | 161 |
Meaning & origin
Ashleigh is a feminine respelling of Ashley that first appeared in U.S. records in 1966. It reached peak popularity in 1991 with a rank of 6838 in 2025 and a 1-in-100454 frequency. The name has been steadily falling since 1991. Ashleigh is an example of the -leigh suffix trend that gained traction in the late 20th century, particularly in the 1990s. Despite its decline, it remains a familiar variant of the extremely popular Ashley. No top states are recorded for Ashleigh, suggesting it was never concentrated in any particular region but spread broadly.
Ashleigh is a modern respelling of Ashley, which itself derives from the Old English elements 'æsc' (ash tree) and 'lēah' (woodland clearing). The surname Ashley emerged in the Middle Ages, and the name transitioned to a given name in the 19th century. The -leigh spelling became popular in the late 20th century as a fashionable variant, especially in the United States.
Where Ashleigh is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ash, Leigh, Ashy
Sibling names for Ashleigh
Names that share Ashleigh's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Ashleigh
Names whose popularity has moved with Ashleigh's over the last 50 years.
