Ashly is a contemporary unisex given name of American origin, derived from Ashley which itself stems from Old English elements 'æsc' meaning 'ash tree', and '-leah' denoting 'woodland clearing'. The name gained popularity in the late 20th century, particularly among parents seeking unique names for their children. It is often used as a standalone given name but can also serve as a diminutive of Ashley. Spelling variations include Ashlie, Ashleigh, and Ashlee, among others.
The name Ashly experienced peak popularity during the early to mid-1980s, with a significant jump from 7 births in 1979 to 21 births in 1981. This period marked the highest rate of babies named Ashly annually. However, after 1986, its usage gradually declined, reaching as low as 5 births again by 1993. Since then, it has maintained a steady but low occurrence with no more than 8 births per year up until 2004. Overall, over a span of 35 years, there were a total of 122 babies named Ashly born.