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Original poster

Ashley...too 90s?

39 replies

PatMustardsBigTool · 06/02/2021 22:08

Just cannot decide on a name for DD3 due soon. Remembered a lovely friend I had in primary school in the early 90s called Ashley and think I'm leaning towards it.

Much prefer this spelling rather than Ashleigh, although I know it is the traditional male spelling. Having had a google, it looks like it's way down in the 800s for baby girl names now, having had its peak in 1991-1992.

Does it seem too retro now? I just can't make a decision if I like it or I'm just feeling nostalgic for my old friend.

DD1 has a classic top 10 name and DD2 has a distinct 80s name (which we love!) so I don't think it'd be out of place.

Any thoughts or other suggestions welcome!

OP posts:
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ZoyaTheDestroyer · 06/02/2021 22:10

It is very 90s but as that was thirty years ago (argh) you might get away with it. My concern would be more that the Ashley spelling really was very popular for boys.

Aisling?

Bluesername · 06/02/2021 22:16

The Ashley spelling can be used for a girl, as in Mary-Kate and Ashley. I quite like it, also Asha is nice.

Sevilleonfire · 06/02/2021 22:20

Aisling is one of my fav names. It's very cool or Asha.
Ashley is a bit too dated

Original poster
PatMustardsBigTool · 06/02/2021 22:21

I know! 30 years ago! How did that happen? Due a comeback.
I'm not overly concerned about the male spelling, my own name is unisex and I have the male spelling and it never bothered me. I will take that on board though.

I do like Asha, thanks for the suggestion.

OP posts:
SacreBleeeurgh · 06/02/2021 22:24

Much prefer Asha, and absolutely love Astrid which has a similar sound too...

Original poster
PatMustardsBigTool · 06/02/2021 22:25

@SacreBleeeurgh

Much prefer Asha, and absolutely love Astrid which has a similar sound too...
Astrid is lovely
OP posts:
Muddywoof · 06/02/2021 22:35

I've always loved the name Ashley.

ftmum94 · 06/02/2021 23:00

Ashley is lovely and v common spelling for girls where I live :)

Tuscadero · 06/02/2021 23:02

I think it's pretty. A nice soft name. Won't be very common among her peers but it's a name everyone knows.

Blondiney · 06/02/2021 23:04

One of the prettiest and loveliest girls I ever knew was called Astrid.

partyatthepalace · 06/02/2021 23:09

Ashley is not the greatest name, just a bit suburban/undistinguished.

Astrid is lovely.

Synchrony · 06/02/2021 23:16

I think it's nice. I wouldn't blink twice to meet a baby girl Ashley.

YoniAndGuy · 06/02/2021 23:49

Sorry, Ashley is pretty naff. I also dislike the nn Ash - reminds me of fags 🤢

Astrid is lovely - definitely go for this instead.

Tuscadero · 06/02/2021 23:51

MN is obsessed with the name Astrid.

PainterInPeril · 06/02/2021 23:55

@PatMustardsBigTool I love the name Ashley....go for it! Congrats on your new baby. Smile

TinyCake · 07/02/2021 04:55

I like Ashley.
Surely 90s names are due a revival!

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 07/02/2021 05:06

Asha and Astrid are nice (I especially love Astrid - has a cool vibe to me) or if it's the "Lee" sound you like, then Biblical Leah is still very useable. I think Ashley does still sound quite 90's though, sorry

babynamelover · 07/02/2021 06:12

I think Ashleigh is okay. I've seen it spelt Ashlee & Ashlea too .Here in NZ the covid advisory guy is Ashley.

It's pretty with out being too princessy also has a unisex vibe if your into that jazz.

McEwan · 07/02/2021 07:32

Almost worth a thread in its own right but I think worrying about whether a name is popular is a waste of time.

There’s absolutely no way to predict for names how their popularity will develop over time. I was thinking the other day of Jackie/Jacqueline. It’s a name that was popular in the 60s/70s, maybe due to Jackie Kennedy. Now it’s way down the list. But do all the adult Jackies dislike their name. I doubt it. If you like a name, don’t worry if it’s old fashioned or popular now

Nonamesavail · 07/02/2021 07:57

I like it. Unusual bit everyone knows it. My dd has a 80s/90s name. No others on class but not described as wacky or weird.

ILoveStickers · 07/02/2021 08:01

It's perfectly nice. I do love Aisling and Astrid.

I think Ashley is more dated in America, where it was the most popular name for girls for a while and then dropped dramatically (I think). It was less popular and more unisex here, so I think it works better.

MerryChristmasToYou · 07/02/2021 20:15

Ashley seems dated.

Asha will be mixed up with Asher.

I like Astrid but suspect it will be a lot more popular than people think.

GloveFromAbove · 07/02/2021 20:20

Like it (and know a 7 yr old with it) but if it’s a bit too 90s what about Ainsley/Aynsley?

blahblahusernameblah · 07/02/2021 20:35

Name changed ... because Ashley is my name.

Was born in the 80s, in California. Have lived in The UK since I was a child.

Very popular girls name in America at the time. Here, I was told I had a boys name etc. I hated it for a really long time. But actually, I really like it now. It's not unusual, but it's definitely not common. And I actually think it's much more feminine than masculine. It comes from Ash Tree, and I like that.

Weird hearing that it's dated! I'm only 36. Grin

I'd say go for it, the world could do with some more female Ashley's.

esee22 · 07/02/2021 21:03

I prefer Ashlyn as it's more feminine and more modern-sounding. I also prefer the spelling Ashleigh over Ashley. Nothing wrong with Ashley though.

I think Astrid is horrible.

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