Asher is a name of Hebrew origin, derived from the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel in the Old Testament. The name Asher means "happy" or "blessed," and it is associated with good fortune and prosperity. According to biblical tradition, Asher was the son of Jacob and Zilpah, and his tribe was known for its abundance of natural resources such as oil and other valuable commodities.
The name Asher has been used throughout history, with notable figures such as Asher ben Jehiel, a prominent Jewish scholar and rabbi from the 14th century, and Asher Brown Durand, an American landscape painter from the 19th century. Today, Asher is still a popular given name for boys, ranking among the top 500 most common names in the United States.
In addition to its Hebrew origins, Asher has also been adopted by other cultures throughout history. In ancient Persian culture, Asher was used as a title for nobility, while in modern times it has become increasingly popular as a given name in English-speaking countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia.
Overall, Asher is a name with a rich historical and cultural background, rooted in biblical tradition and associated with positivity and prosperity. Its enduring popularity across different cultures and time periods speaks to its enduring appeal as a name for boys.
The name Asher has seen a significant rise in popularity in the United States over the past four decades. In 1975, there were only 8 babies named Asher, but by 2022, that number had grown to 109 births.
From 1981 to 1996, the number of annual Asher births fluctuated between 5 and 14. However, starting in 1997, there was a notable increase, with more than 10 babies named Asher each year. This trend continued into the new millennium, with over 70 births annually from 2007 onwards.
The most significant growth occurred between 2013 and 2022, with the number of Asher births nearly doubling from 44 in 2013 to 109 in 2022. This steady increase suggests that Asher is now a well-established name choice among parents in the United States.
In total, there have been 1323 babies named Asher born in the United States since 1975. This data demonstrates not only the increasing popularity of the name over time but also its enduring appeal as a parental favorite.