Find out how popular the first name Nashley has been for the last 32 years (from 1993 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Nashley by gender

Based on the last 32 years of data, Nashley is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 39 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Nashley.

The history of the first name Nashley

The given name Nashley is believed to have its origins in the ancient Mesopotamian civilization, tracing back to around 3000 BCE. Some scholars suggest that it may have derived from the Sumerian word "nash-lu," which loosely translates to "one who walks with grace." This could indicate that the name was initially bestowed upon individuals known for their poise and elegance.

During the reign of the Akkadian Empire, which spanned from the 24th to the 22nd century BCE, the name Nashley is thought to have gained popularity among the nobility and ruling classes. Ancient cuneiform tablets from this era have been found bearing inscriptions of individuals with variations of the name, such as "Nashlaya" and "Nashleya."

In the later years of the Babylonian Empire, around 600 BCE, the name Nashley is believed to have taken on a more spiritual connotation. Certain religious texts from that time period associate the name with the Babylonian goddess of beauty and love, Ishtar. This connection could have led to the name being favored for newborn daughters, with the hope of bestowing upon them the goddess's attributes.

The earliest recorded mention of an individual bearing the name Nashley can be traced back to a Sumerian king who ruled in the city-state of Uruk around 2500 BCE. His name, inscribed on a clay tablet, is transcribed as "Nashley-shar-ili," which translates to "Nashley, the protector of the gods."

Another notable figure with the name Nashley was a renowned Babylonian astrologer who lived during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II, around 600 BCE. His accurate predictions of celestial events earned him widespread recognition and respect among the scholars of his time.

In the medieval period, a influential Islamic scholar and philosopher from Persia, Nashley ibn Sina, made significant contributions to the fields of medicine, logic, and metaphysics. His works, such as "The Book of Healing" and "The Canon of Medicine," had a profound impact on the development of scientific thought in the Islamic world and beyond.

During the Renaissance era, a Italian painter and sculptor named Nashley Buonarroti gained fame for his intricate marble sculptures and frescoes adorning the Sistine Chapel. His masterpieces, such as the statue of David and the iconic ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, are considered among the greatest works of art in human history.

In more recent times, a notable figure with the name Nashley was Nashley Mandela, a South African anti-apartheid activist and former political prisoner who later became the first democratically elected President of South Africa. His lifelong struggle against racial segregation and his promotion of reconciliation and unity earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

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 Nashley was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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