Would you name a boy Ashley?

Question

I love the name Ashley for a boy, just like the character in "Gone With the Wind." Yes, I know it sounds like a girl's name now, and I know he would probably be teased, but when he is all grow up into a handsome superhunk wouldn't it sound so masculine and sexy? :) After all, is it really any less masculine than "Ashton" or "Wesley"?

What would you think of using it as a middle name for a boy? --
Robert Ashley, Kenneth Ashley, James Ashley

I hate how girls are taking over all the good boy names (like Cameron, Madison, Bradley, Aubrey, etc.)

Answer 1

Ashley is just fine for a boy, even if it is being taken over by girls these days.
I usually see the female version spelt as Ashleigh or Ashlee or Ashlea. I've met a few boys called Ashley, but it is pretty rare now.

I think it's a really nice, handsome name and you choose it if you like it.

(Former preschool teacher who's seen lots of names)

Answer 2

I would never name a boy Ashley. Actually, I thought Ashley Wilkes was a wimp and didn't deserve Scarlett's love and admiration.

I don't like Wesley either. They are both in the wuss category in my mind. And I don't like either as middle names.

Ashton isn't quite as wimpy but how can anyone of this generation not thing of the "actor" with that name.

Answer 3

What would the last name be? I think that if the last name is a girlie name like Ferrie, then might as well go for it. If you already have a girly last name, it actually shows lots of confidence to have a unisex name which is more often associated with a girl. It then becomes manly! However if there is nothing feminine in the last name, than go for a more overtly male name like Ashton or what not. For the record, I love the names, along with Ash! It is very distinguished.

Answer 4

Ashley is safe for a boy middle name, but most of the world has forgotten that this is a boy name. Same as the others you cite, to which you could add Vivian and Robin if you want to get into pre-1960 Britain.
I hate that girls no longer get female names. I was so happy last week when a work friend told me his baby was named Eloise. A girl name! How sweet, how rare, how - dare I say it - unique!

Answer 5

Ashley originally was a boy's name. It used to be unheard of for girls.

Of the names on your list, I like James Ashley best.

Answer 6

If you absolutely want to use the name Ashley, then you should probably use it as a middle name. I like James Ashley the best out of the ones you listed.

Answer 7

No, I wouldn't, if only because of its girl-y associations. I guess since I'm a girl, I actually like the boy-turned-girl names out there - they just sound different and fun. But then again, its kind of a one-way thing. Boys with girl-y names aren't as cool lol, sorry. I guess its just the fact that boys are assigned the masculine, me-Tarzan-you-Jane kind of role in society so parents usually go for tradition when naming them. If you look at the top baby name lists, girls have the wild MacKenzie's and Ella's and Isabelle's that segue in and out of fashion, while boy's trends generally stay the same - Jack, Matthew, James, etc.

Answer 8

It's definitely a boy's name and I love it. I don't like Ashley's character in GWTW, but it's a fantastic name. It's a fantastic name that I love, but I don't think I would use it as a first name because of the female connotations.

As a middle name, it's fantastic. I like James Ashley the best.

PS- Wesley and Ashton + Aiden/Caden/Jaden/Hayden = pansy names!

Answer 9

Ashley is a nice name for a boy. I once dated an Ashley. If you like it, use it with something to compliment it, like Ashley Jacob, or James. When he grows up, he can be called Ash, or A.J.
Ashley is also good as a middle name, but it really depends on how you want to put it.
Good luck.

Answer 10

I wouldn't. Simply because the ratio I have met of Ashleys being female to male is like 20:1, probably worse. It's a hard name for a boy to grow up with, like any name that is dominated usually by the opposite sex.