Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Asher

Believe it or not, Asher is actually an early Biblical name showing up in Genesis 30:13. In the bible, Jacob’s wife Leah is past childbearing years, so she takes her servant to Jacob. This servant (Zilpah) gives Jacob two sons, Gad and Asher. Upon the birth of the second, Leah exclaims: “Happy am I! For women have called me happy.” So she called his name Asher. Asher comes from the Hebrew word meaning ‘happy’ and has been a fixture within the Jewish naming practices. Outside of the Jewish community, Asher may be a variation of the surname Ashton from the Old English “æsc” (ash tree) signifying a person who lived near an ash tree. In Norse mythology, the first man created by the gods was formed from an ash tree. The Celts, impressed with its massive size, associated the ash tree with power, expansion and scale. But we prefer the “happier” origin of the name Asher.

All About the Baby Name – Asher

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME ASHER

Romance is the hallmark of the Six personality. They exude nurturing, loving, and caring energy. Sixes are in love with the idea of love in its idealized form - and with their magnetic personalities, they easily draw people toward them. Like the number Two personality, they seek balance and harmony in their life and the world at large. They are conscientious and service-oriented, and a champion for the underdog. These personalities naturally attract money and are usually surrounded by lovely material objects - but their human relationships are always primary. They thrive in giving back to others rather than being motivated by their own desires. This is when they achieve great things. Sixes are natural teachers, ministers and counselors.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME ASHER

The name Asher has followed a similar path on the American popularity charts as Ashton. Asher dates back to 1880 since the government first began keeping records of naming trends. However, the name is used sporadically until about 1900 and then disappears completely from the charts. The name returns triumphantly in 1992 and, in almost 20 years, advances over 850 spots on the charts. This is a name to watch out for. Despite its ancient Biblical origins, Asher feels stylishly modern if not a little bit trendy. It also sounds more like a traditional first name vs. a surname when compared to Ashton. Asher is a bright and friendly choice that seems true to its origins – downright happy! And not surprisingly, Asher has already made the Top 100 list in states that score highest on the happy-meter: Utah, Montana, South Dakota, Minnesota, Vermont, Alaska and Hawaii.

Quick Facts

ON ASHER

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

Hebrew

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

104

PRONUNCIATION:

ASH-er

SIMPLE MEANING:

Happy

Characteristics

OF ASHER

Humanitarian

Community-minded

Family-oriented

Loving

Affectionate

Compassionate

Sensitive

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Asher

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME ASHER

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker - his classmate and crush - who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah's voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why. Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a firsthand witness to Hannah's pain, and learns the truth about himself-a truth he never wanted to face. Thirteen Reasons Why is the gripping, addictive international bestseller that has changed lives the world over. It's an unrelenting modern classic.

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Asher

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME ASHER

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Asher


Popular Songs

ON ASHER

Asher to Asher
a song by David Bowie

Famous People

NAMED ASHER

Asher Allen (football player)
Asher Roth (rapper)
Asher Benjamin (American architect)
Asher Brown Durand (American painter)
Asher Welch (soccer player)

Children of Famous People

NAMED ASHER

Jenny McCarthy;

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME ASHER

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Asher