Ashley is an Old English name that means “ash tree,” and began as a surname for people who lived near a clearing of ash trees in the forest.
Although it can be used for men (for example, Scarlett O’Hara’s beloved Ashley in Gone with the Wind), Ashley is most commonly used for girls these days. Some famous Ashleys include President Biden’s daughter Ashley Biden, American actresses Ashley Judd and Ashley Olsen, and Ashley Frangipane, who is known professionally as the singer Halsey.
To honor the Ashleys of the world on their special day, we’ve selected three books with an Ashley as the main character.
