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Name at a glance

Asher

Asher is a Hebrew name usually connected with happiness or blessing.

Ranked #28 in US baby names in 2025, rising over the past 5 years.

Asher is an Old Testament name with a bright meaning and a modern sound, making it one of the more accessible unique biblical names.

Browse names
OriginHebrew
GenderBoy
FeelBlessed
PronunciationASH-er

Is Asher biblical?

Yes

Biblical status Direct biblical person

Asher is a named person in Scripture, the eighth son of Jacob and ancestor of a tribe of Israel in Genesis.

Is Asher a Christian name?

Used by Christians, not distinctively

Christian tradition Christian cultural usage

Asher is used among Christians as an accessible Old Testament name gaining modern visibility rather than through centuries of church tradition.

Plain answer

Asher is a biblical name, one of Jacob's sons, used by Christians mainly as an accessible Old Testament name with a modern rise.

Confidence Moderate Last reviewed July 19, 2026 How this works

Meaning

The meaning of Asher

Asher is usually linked with Hebrew words connected to happiness, blessedness, or good fortune. In Genesis, Leah's servant Zilpah bears Asher, and the name is connected with happiness.

Genesis name

Asher in the Old Testament

Asher is one of the sons of Jacob and becomes the ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel. The name appears inside the family stories of Genesis.

Its meaning gives it a brighter tone than many heavier Old Testament names.

Sound

How to pronounce Asher

Phonetic
ASH-er
IPA
/ˈæʃəɹ/

2 syllables · stress: ASH-er · ends in a consonant

Forms

Variants and nicknames

Alternate spellings

  • Asser
  • Aser

Short forms and nicknames

  • Ash

Languages

Asher in other languages

Hebrew
אָשֵׁרAsher
Greek
ἈσήρAsēr
Latin
Aser
Spanish
Aser
French
Aser
Italian
Aser
German
Asser

Christian background

Christian and biblical background

Christians usually encounter Asher as part of the patriarchal family story and the tribes of Israel. It is not a central New Testament name, but it belongs clearly to the biblical naming tradition.

Scripture

The biblical figure

Asher is one of Jacob's sons and is associated with one of the tribes of Israel. The name is tied to happiness in the birth story.

Bearers

Notable people named Asher

  • biblical

    AsherEighth son of Jacob and ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel in Genesis

  • historical

    Asher Brown DurandAmerican Hudson River School painter, 1796 to 1886

  • historical

    Asher Ginsberg (Ahad Ha'am)Hebrew essayist and central early Zionist thinker, 1856 to 1927

  • modern

    Asher RothAmerican rapper known for I Love College, born 1985

Naming history

Naming tradition and history

Asher has become more visible in modern US naming because it sounds current while retaining real biblical roots. It is distinctive but not difficult.

Recent US use

Asher in recent US use

Rank in 2025
#28
Peak rank
#20 in 2022
Recent trend
rising over the last 5 years
Years in the SSA records
121 (since 1880)

Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880-2025.

Sibling fit

Sibling name suggestions

For families

For families looking at Asher

For a Christian family, Asher offers a happy meaning, Old Testament grounding, and a gentle modern sound.

Common questions

What does Asher mean?

Asher is usually connected with happiness or blessing.

Is Asher a biblical name?

Yes. Asher is one of the sons of Jacob in Genesis.

Is Asher a Christian name?

Yes. Christians use Asher as an Old Testament biblical name.

Sources

Sources for Asher

  • A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, Brown, Driver, and BriggsSupports: Hebrew etymology; meaning happiness or blessing.
  • The Book of Genesis, King James Version (KJV 1769)Supports: biblical figure; eighth son of Jacob and ancestor of a tribe of Israel.

Last reviewed July 19, 2026. See our methodology, or report an error on the corrections page.

Read next

Related names

NoahAnother short, soft-consonant Hebrew Bible name that has risen sharply in modern US naming alongside Asher.CalebAnother accessible Old Testament boy name; both feel approachable in modern naming without losing biblical depth.ElijahA prophetic OT name that pairs naturally with Asher for families who want a softer biblical name alongside a weightier sibling.JosephAsher's older half-brother (Joseph by Rachel; Asher by Zilpah); both are sons of Jacob in the Genesis 30 birth narratives.