Ashton is a distinctive girls' name in United States, ranking #1352 in 2012 with 173 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 1997 with 978 births ranking #294. Since 1996, the popularity has decreased by 80.7%. In 2012, approximately 1 in every 10,178 girls born was named Ashton. FALLING Recent data shows the name is currently falling.
Ashton began as an English place name and surname meaning "ash tree town". As a first name, it blends a natural meaning with the polished sound of a modern surname-style choice.
The name became more visible as a given name in the late twentieth century, when many English surnames crossed into first-name use. Its rise fits that broader modern naming pattern.