- Gender: Primarily male
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “Happy” or “Blessed”
- Pronunciation: ASH-er
Meaning of the Name Asher
Asher comes from the Hebrew name “Asher” (אָשֵׁר), which means “happy,” “blessed,” or “fortunate.” In the Bible, Asher was the eighth son of Jacob and the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. When he was born, his mother Leah said, “Happy am I, for women will call me happy,” which is where his name comes from.
Historical Significance of Asher
Asher has deep roots in Jewish tradition. As one of Jacob’s twelve sons in the Book of Genesis, Asher founded one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe of Asher settled in the fertile western part of northern Galilee, known for producing olive oil and other agricultural treasures.
While the name remained somewhat uncommon in English-speaking countries for centuries, it began gaining popularity in the late 20th century. I’ve noticed it really started taking off in the early 2000s as parents began looking for biblical names with modern appeal.
Common Nicknames for Asher
- Ash
- Ashe
- Ashi
- Ashie
- Ari
How Popular Is Asher?
Asher has seen a remarkable rise in popularity in the United States over the past two decades. In 2000, it ranked #280 on the Social Security Administration’s list of popular baby names. By 2010, it had climbed to #139, and as of 2023, Asher had reached #25!
The name has been especially popular in communities with strong religious ties, but its appeal has broadened to mainstream use. I’ve met several young Ashers at the playground lately, which shows just how trendy it’s become.
Famous People Named Asher
- Asher Angel (American actor known for “Shazam!” and Disney’s “Andi Mack”)
- Asher Roth (American rapper)
- Asher Keddie (Australian actress)
- Asher Monroe (American singer and actor)
- Asher Blinkoff (Child voice actor in “Hotel Transylvania” films)
- Asher Vollmer (Game designer and creator of “Threes!”)
Fictional Characters Named Asher
- Asher Fleming (Character from “Gilmore Girls”)
- Asher Pike (Character from the novel “The Giver” by Lois Lowry)
- Asher Adams (Character from the TV series “How to Get Away with Murder”)
- Asher Millstone (Character from “How to Get Away with Murder”)
- Asher Lev (Protagonist of Chaim Potok’s novel “My Name Is Asher Lev”)
Asher in Literature and Pop Culture
Asher has made several notable appearances in literature and pop culture:
In Chaim Potok’s novel “My Name Is Asher Lev,” the protagonist (Asher Lev) struggles between his Hasidic Jewish upbringing and his passion for art.
The name appears in Lois Lowry’s dystopian novel “The Giver,” where Asher is the protagonist’s best friend.
In TV shows, Asher has appeared as a character name in “Gilmore Girls,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” and other series.
The name has grown in popularity alongside the general trend of bringing back old-fashioned or biblical names with a modern twist. I remember when my friend named her son Asher in 2015, people thought it was unique, but now there are three Ashers in his kindergarten class!
Personality Traits Associated with Asher
People named Asher are often thought to embody traits that reflect the name’s meaning of “happy” or “blessed”:
- Cheerful disposition: Many Ashers have a naturally sunny personality
- Creative: Often artistic and imaginative
- Sociable: Tends to make friends easily
- Optimistic: Generally sees the positive side of life
- Independent: Often marches to the beat of their own drum
Of course, these are just generalizations based on name symbolism. My neighbor’s son Asher is actually quite shy until you get to know him, which just goes to show that names don’t determine personality!
Similar Names to Asher
- Archer
- Alistair
- Ashton
- August
- Ezra
- Jasper
- Silas
Alternate Spellings for Asher
- Assher
- Ashur
- Ashyr
- Ascher (German variation)
- Aser (Spanish variation)
Pronunciation Variations Around the World
- English: ASH-er
- Hebrew: ah-SHEHR
- French: ah-SHAIR
- Spanish: AH-sehr
- German: AH-sher
Parents Who Like Asher Also Like
- Ezra
- Elijah
- Silas
- Noah
- Caleb
- Levi
- Judah
- Felix
- Theo
Baby Name Lists That Include Asher
- Biblical Boy Names
- Vintage Names Making a Comeback
- Short and Sweet Boy Names
- Names with Positive Meanings
- Hebrew Names for Boys
- Two-Syllable Boy Names
- Trending Names of the 2020s
Asher for Both Genders
While Asher is traditionally a boy’s name, it has occasionally been used for girls, particularly in recent years as gender-neutral naming has become more common. However, it remains predominantly male, with over 95% of Ashers being boys.
As a unisex option, it joins names like Avery, Riley, and Jordan that work well for either gender. If you’re considering Asher for a girl, you might use feminine middle names to balance it.
Sibling Name Ideas
Brother Names for Asher
- Ezra
- Micah
- Noah
- Jonah
- Eli
- Levi
- Caleb
Sister Names for Asher
- Abigail
- Hannah
- Leah
- Eden
- Naomi
- Zoe
- Violet
Names with the Same Meaning as Asher
- Felix (Latin for “happy” or “fortunate”)
- Beatrice/Beatrix (Latin for “she who brings happiness”)
- Felicity (Latin for “happiness”)
- Saida (Arabic for “happy”)
- Makarios (Greek for “blessed”)
First Impressions of Asher
When people hear the name Asher, they often think:
- Biblical yet modern
- Friendly and approachable
- Slightly artistic or creative
- Masculine but not overly traditional
- Distinctive without being too unusual
I remember meeting an Asher at a work conference and immediately thinking he must be creative – turns out he was a graphic designer! The name just has that artistic vibe to it.
Celebrity Babies Named Asher
- Asher Hendrix (son of actress Embeth Davidtz)
- Asher Novek (son of actress Lisa Loeb)
- Asher James (son of reality TV star Catelynn Lowell)
- Asher Chance (son of TV personality Campbell Brown)
Songs About Asher
While there aren’t many mainstream songs specifically about the name Asher, the name has appeared in:
- “Tribe of Asher” by various Christian artists
- Several indie songs and compositions
- Musical references to the biblical tribe of Asher
Famous Quotes About Asher
“And of Asher he said, ‘Most blessed of sons be Asher; let him be the favorite of his brothers, and let him dip his foot in oil.'” — Deuteronomy 33:24
“Happy am I, for women will call me happy.” — Leah upon naming her son Asher (Genesis 30:13)
Asher in Different Languages
- Hebrew: אָשֵׁר (Asher)
- Arabic: أشير (Ashir)
- Spanish: Aser
- French: Acher
- Italian: Ascer
- Russian: Ашер (Asher)
- Greek: Ασήρ (Asir)
Name Combinations for Asher
First and Middle Name Combinations
- Asher James
- Asher Benjamin
- Asher Cole
- Asher Elliott
- Asher Gabriel
- Asher Nathaniel
- Asher Thomas
As a Middle Name
- Elijah Asher
- Noah Asher
- Benjamin Asher
- Gabriel Asher
- Samuel Asher
Comments from Parents of Children Named Asher
“We named our son Asher because we loved its meaning – who doesn’t want their child to be happy and blessed? Four years later, he really lives up to his name with his joyful personality.” — Melissa, mom of Asher (4)
“I worried Asher might be too trendy, but we’ve received so many compliments on it. It’s familiar enough that people can spell it, but not so common that there are five in his class.” — David, dad of Asher (7)
“Our Asher is 10 now, and the name fits him perfectly. It’s strong but not harsh, and traditional without feeling old-fashioned.” — Jennifer, mom of Asher (10)
“As a Jewish family, we loved the biblical connection to Asher. It honors our heritage while still feeling modern.” — Sarah, mom of Asher (2)
“We call our little guy ‘Ash’ most of the time – it’s such a cool nickname that will grow well with him.” — Michael, dad of Asher (3)