National Ashley Day - Wondering what National Ashley Day is and why it’s celebrated? We have the answers for you!

National Ashley Day 2024 – November 8, 2024

National Ashley Day is celebrated on November 8 every year. Though the origins of the day remain, it is likely that it was created to appreciate all the Ashleys in the world. The name is derived from the Old English ‘æsc’ (ash) and ‘lēah’ (forest glade) and referenced a meadow where ash trees grew. It soon became an English family name. Ashley has been used to name both boys and girls across history. The first half of the 20th century saw Ashley being used commonly to name boys, but by the mid-1990s, Ashley had become a common girl’s name.

History of National Ashley Day

A name is a term used to identify a specific individual. It is usually paired with a family name to give a person both an individual identity along with a sense of community. The history of names goes back farther than written or oral history itself. It is believed most names had an original meaning, are usually descriptive, and derived from a noun or an adjective. Many of them were also compounds. Historians suggest that some descriptive names began to be used repeatedly until they formed a name pool for a particular culture. Parents would name their children from the existing pool, rather than invent new ones. Over time, languages changed and people migrated, but names remained comparatively static, fossilized relics of a word no longer in use.The rise of Christianity led to a few changes in naming practices. Christians were encouraged to name their children after saints and martyrs. Very often these names were of Jewish origin and Greco-Roman. The Norman conquest of England in 1066 brought French names with Germanic origins to prominence. All major events and cultural shifts have impacted the naming pool of cultures to some degree.Ashley, for instance, is from the Old English “æsc” (ash) and “lēah” (forest glade) and referenced a meadow where ash trees grew. It soon became an English family name. Ashley has been used to name both boys and girls across history. The first half of the 20th century saw Ashley being used commonly to name boys, but by the mid-1990s, Ashley had become a common girl’s name.

National Ashley Day timeline

3400 B.C.
The First Recorded Name

The earliest known name, Kushim, is recorded on a clay tablet.

Mid-5th Century
Anglo-Saxon

Old English is brought to Britain by the Anglo-Saxons.

Mid-7th Century
Anglo-Saxon Literature

The earliest literatures in Old English are written.

1990s
A Girl's Name

Ashley becomes a popular girl’s name.

National Ashley Day FAQs

How old is the name Ashley?

The Ashley family name was found in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920.

Is Ashley still a popular girl name?

The name Ashley has maintained its standing in the top 200 most popular girl names. Despite its slight decline in popularity, it’s still more popular than its sister spelling, Ashleigh.

Is Ashley an Irish name?

The name Ashley doesn’t necessarily hail from Ireland.

National Ashley Day Activities

  1. Appreciate an Ashley

    Do you have a lovely Ashley in your life? Go and show them your appreciation.

  2. Look up the etymology of your name

    Your name is bound to be interesting. Look up the origin of your own name.

  3. Listen to an Ashley’s music

    Many Ashleys like Halsey have become musicians. Listen to their music today.

5 Interesting Facts About Names

  1. The same name

    There are 4,700 people who have the same exact first and last name in the United States.

  2. Political leanings

    The name a parent picks out for their baby often reveals their political beliefs.

  3. The most popular girl’s name

    Overall, Mary has been the most popular girl’s name in the past 100 years.

  4. The most popular boy’s name

    Overall, Michael has been the most popular boy’s name in the past 100 years.

  5. Name order

    Depending on where you are in the world, your surname either follows or comes before your first name.

Why We Love National Ashley Day

  1. It’s a fun history lesson

    Names have a fascinating history. Learning about a particular name is always a fun history lesson!

  2. It reminds us of words long passed

    Certain names are like fossils. Names like Ashley, an Old English name, are reminders of words long passed out of the popular lexicon.

  3. It’s fun to appreciate people you love

    We love appreciating people we care for. Any excuse to do more of it is fine by us!

National Ashley Day dates

Year Date Day
2022 November 8 Tuesday
2023 November 8 Wednesday
2024 November 8 Friday
2025 November 8 Saturday
2026 November 8 Sunday