Find out how popular the first name Ashlea has been for the last 40 years (from 1974 to 2013) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ashlea by gender

Based on the last 40 years of data, Ashlea is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2013, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Ashlea.

The history of the first name Ashlea

The name Ashlea is a modern variation of the name Ashley, which has its origins in the Old English language. The name Ashley is derived from the Old English words "æsc" meaning "ash tree" and "leah" meaning "meadow" or "clearing." The combination of these words suggests that the name Ashley originally referred to a meadow where ash trees grew.

The name Ashley gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages, particularly after the Norman Conquest in 1066. It was initially used as a surname for people who lived near an ash tree meadow or as a place name for locations with similar geographical features. The earliest recorded use of the name Ashley as a given name dates back to the 13th century.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Ashley was Sir Robert Ashley, a prominent English landowner and military commander who lived during the 14th century. He played a significant role in the Hundred Years' War between England and France.

In the 16th century, the name Ashley gained popularity as a given name for both males and females. One notable bearer of the name during this time was Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury (1621-1683), an English politician and philosopher who was a prominent figure in the Whig movement.

The variation Ashlea emerged in the late 20th century as a more feminine spelling of the name Ashley. While its origin is uncertain, it is believed to have been influenced by the trend of creating more unique and distinctive names by altering the spelling of traditional names.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Ashlea was Ashlea Welles, an American actress and model born in 1954. Another notable bearer of the name was Ashlea Ebeling, an American journalist and author who wrote extensively on personal finance and tax issues.

Other historical individuals with the name Ashlea include Ashlea Lansdell, an Australian author and playwright born in 1957, and Ashlea Earl, an American actress and model born in 1981. Additionally, Ashlea Brennan was an Australian cyclist who competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Ashlea was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ashlea, please contact us.

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