Ashley is a popular given name of English origin, derived from an Old English surname that means 'ash tree meadow'. It has been widely used as both a masculine and feminine name throughout history, though in recent years it has been more commonly given to girls. The name Ashley gained significant popularity during the 1980s and 1990s, particularly in the United States and other English-speaking countries.
"Ashley saw its peak popularity between 1983 and 1990, with consistent high numbers of babies named Ashley annually. After a dip in the mid-90s, it rebounded slightly but remained steady until 2008."