"fortunate, prosperous"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Asher
Pronunciation: [ ASH-er ]
Does Asher flow with your last name?
Pure happiness in ancient Hebrew
Jewish
American
English
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Spiritual
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Earthy
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"fortunate, prosperous"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
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The Story of Asher
Asher comes from the Hebrew meaning to be happy or to be blessed. In the Book of Genesis, Asher was the eighth son of Jacob and one of the twelve patriarchs of the tribes of Israel. His mother Leah exclaimed Happy am I! at his birth — making his name literally born from joy. The tribe of Asher was known for its fertile lands in northern Canaan.
Asher was rarely used outside Jewish communities until the 2000s, when it became part of a broader wave of short, biblical, accessible boys' names that included Ezra, Eli, and Silas. It climbed from outside the top 200 in 2005 to inside the top 40 by 2020, appealing to parents seeking names that are traditional yet feel fresh.
In Jewish tradition, Asher is one of the twelve tribal patriarchs. The name carries a distinctly joyful meaning — one of the few biblical names whose meaning is simply happiness. In Hebrew, Ashrei (Happy are those who...) is the opening of many Psalms.
Historical Record
Asher first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 103,179 babies have been named Asher in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Asher is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #20 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Asher is the only one of the twelve tribal names of Israel whose meaning is simply happy
- The tribe of Asher's land was famed in ancient times for its olive oil production
- Asher has risen faster in US baby name rankings than almost any other biblical name in the 2010s
Asher in Other Languages
French
Aser
German
Aser
Hebrew
אָשֵׁר
Spanish
Aser
Yiddish
Asher
Popularity Over Time
#20
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Asher
A
Asher Angel
Musician
2002
American actor and singer known for Andi Mack and the Shazam! film
A
A
Asher Brown Durand
Artist
1796
American painter and engraver, a prominent member of the Hudson River School of landscape painting
A
Asher (biblical patriarch)
Religious
Son of Jacob and Zilpah, one of the twelve patriarchs of the tribes of Israel in the Book of Genesis
A
Asher Millstone Fictional
Other
Law student character in the legal drama How to Get Away with Murder
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #20
- Total SSA Count
- 8,123
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Ash
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Asher
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Asher is also used as a girl name, ranked #2522.
View Asher as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Asher
What does the name Asher mean?
"fortunate, prosperous" (from Hebrew). "fortunate, prosperous" (from Hebrew). Asher comes from the Hebrew meaning to be happy or to be blessed. In the Book of Genesis, Asher was the eighth son of Jacob and one of the twelve patriarchs of the tribes of Israel. His mother Leah exclaimed Happy am I! at his birth — making his name literally born from joy. The tribe of Asher was known for its fertile lands in northern Canaan.
What is the origin of the name Asher?
Asher has Hebrew, Jewish, American, and English origins. In Hebrew, it means "fortunate, prosperous". In Hebrew, it means "fortunate, prosperous".
Is Asher a boy or girl name?
Asher is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #20. As a girl name, it is ranked #2522. Asher is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Asher?
Asher is pronounced ASH-er.
How popular is the name Asher?
Asher is currently ranked #20 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Asher?
Common nicknames for Asher include Ash.
What are good middle names for Asher?
Popular middle name pairings include Asher James, Asher Cole, Asher Gray, Asher Bennett, Asher Thomas, Asher River, and Asher Reid.
What are good sibling names for Asher?
Names that pair well with Asher as siblings include Ezra, Silas, Ivy, Elijah, Hazel, Jonah, and Violet.
How many syllables does Asher have?
Asher has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Asher a common or rare name?
Asher is a very popular name, ranked #20 among boy names in the United States.
About the Name Asher
Asher is a boy name with Jewish, American, and English origins . The name means "fortunate, prosperous" in Hebrew .
Is Asher a boy or girl name? Asher is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #20 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #2,522. Asher is more commonly used as a boy name.
Asher is currently ranked #20 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Asher has 2 syllables and is pronounced ASH-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Asher include Ash. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis