Asha
Borrowed from Sanskrit आशा (āśā, “hope, wish”).
Every Asha since 1963 — 9,127 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Asha
Asha is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #1,373 in 2025 with 160 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1963, 9,127 American babies have been named Asha. Its peak came in 2000, when 250 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Asha stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Asha year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 160 | #1,373 | — | — |
| 2024 | 201 | #1,188 | — | — |
| 2023 | 169 | #1,339 | — | — |
| 2022 | 135 | #1,575 | 5 | #12,520 |
| 2021 | 161 | #1,370 | 6 | #10,908 |
| 2020 | 147 | #1,462 | 5 | #12,194 |
| 2019 | 192 | #1,219 | 5 | #12,312 |
| 2018 | 200 | #1,192 | — | — |
| 2017 | 210 | #1,172 | 5 | #12,433 |
| 2016 | 187 | #1,287 | — | — |
| 2015 | 181 | #1,311 | — | — |
| 2014 | 202 | #1,206 | — | — |
| 2013 | 191 | #1,248 | — | — |
| 2012 | 212 | #1,158 | — | — |
| 2011 | 201 | #1,196 | — | — |
| 2010 | 171 | #1,363 | — | — |
| 2009 | 187 | #1,292 | — | — |
| 2008 | 204 | #1,236 | — | — |
| 2007 | 215 | #1,182 | — | — |
| 2006 | 197 | #1,222 | — | — |
| 2005 | 196 | #1,174 | 5 | #11,618 |
| 2004 | 218 | #1,062 | — | — |
| 2003 | 237 | #978 | — | — |
| 2002 | 206 | #1,045 | — | — |
| 2001 | 210 | #1,025 | — | — |
| 2000 | 250 | #882 | — | — |
| 1995 | 216 | #881 | — | — |
| 1990 | 184 | #994 | — | — |
| 1985 | 98 | #1,339 | — | — |
| 1980 | 101 | #1,273 | — | — |
| 1975 | 59 | #1,641 | — | — |
| 1970 | 19 | #3,318 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Asha
- Asha Bhosle Singer · b. 1933
- Asha Parekh Actor · b. 1942
- Asha Negi Actor · b. 1989
- Asha Philip Athlete · b. 1990
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Asha mean?
Borrowed from Sanskrit आशा (āśā, “hope, wish”).
How popular is the name Asha in 2025?
Asha ranked #1,373 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 160 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Asha?
9,127 babies have been named Asha in the United States since 1963, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Asha most popular?
Asha peaked in 2000, when 250 newborns received the name.
Is Asha a boy or girl name?
Asha is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Asha rising or falling?
Asha has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Asha?
Well-known people named Asha include Asha Bhosle (singer), Asha Parekh (actor), Asha Negi (actor).