I was recently contacted for some help finding a middle name for Asher with some ‘oomph’. Asher is a great name with an intriguing history, and, depending on which middle name is paired with it, can have a completely different vibe.
It’s found in the Bible, and means “fortunate” or “blessed” in Hebrew. Readers of the Old Testament or fans of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat might recognize Asher as the name of one of Joseph’s brothers.
It appears on the United States’ Social Security Administration database in the 1890s when records began to be kept, but then fell out of fashion and was scarcely used for nearly a hundred years.
It broke in to the top 1000 names in 1985 and has been rising slowly but steadily ever since, reaching the top 100 in 2014. Each of these three distinct phases – Biblical, ‘old man’ cool, and modern preppy fun – has a distinct vibe that can be achieved by pairing Asher with a certain style of middle name.
Biblical Choices
When paired with another Biblical middle name, Asher sounds dignified and respected. Try mixing up the number of syllables to get a nice flow when saying the name out loud.
I like how Asher sounds with a middle name that is three or more syllables, and there are lots of options in the Bible that aren’t overly long. Asher Jeremiah, Asher Joshua, Asher Josiah, Asher Benjamin, Asher Gabriel, Asher Gideon, Asher Elijah, Asher Elias, and Asher Emmanuel can all flow nicely, as long as the last name isn’t too cumbersome.
If you have a long last name, try going with something a bit shorter and more simple. Asher John, Asher Luke, or Asher Eli all maintain the Biblical connection, but would flow more easily with a longer last name. Depending on how much you like the repeating ‘R’ sounds, Asher Ezra could flow nicely too.
Classic Choices
Another route you could take is to go for a classic ‘old man’ vibe. Asher enjoyed a bit of popularity in the nineteenth century, and like many other names of its generation, is undergoing a bit of a revival in popularity.
To give Asher some clunky old man cred, try pairing it with an underused older classic that isn’t seen as frequently these days. A choice like Asher Gregory, Asher Douglas, Asher Lionel, Asher Francis, Asher Lawrence, Asher Curtis, or Asher Phillip helps make the name sound like a classic from a century or two ago.
For a more contemporary classic sound, try using a solid classic that has never really fallen out of use. Asher Vincent, Asher Samuel, Asher Edward, Asher Timothy, or Asher George all have a timeless feel.
Again, I like the way it sounds with the number of syllables mixed up – either three or one syllables. If you do pair Asher with another two-syllable name, I like to try and make sure there are different consonant sounds. For example, I think Asher Edward flows a bit better than Asher Simon.
Contemporary Choices
If older, underused names or Biblical references aren’t your thing, then look to the current crop of popular names being given to boys. Paired as a middle name with Asher, I would look at two main categories: the short and snappy one-syllable names, and the long surname-style names.
Asher Jude, Asher Gage, Asher Cole, Asher Bryce, Asher Graham, Asher Flynn, Asher Reid, or Asher Rhys would all sound good with a longer last name.
On the flip side, you can look at the surname trend for middle inspiration as well. Asher Elliott, Asher Donovan, Asher Cameron, Asher Mitchell, Asher Bennett, or Asher Lincoln all sound good together.
Try taking a peek back at your and your partner’s family trees for ideas for a middle name for Asher that both flows well and is meaningful.
Just remember to try and avoid names with the same repeating sounds. There are lots of occupational surnames being used for boys at the moment – think Carter, Parker, Cooper – but these wouldn’t flow as well with the repeating –er sound at the end of Asher.
Vowel sounds are important too – Max is another older classic that is enjoying a revival at the moment, but with the same repeating long A vowel sound that is found in Asher, it doesn’t flow well either.
Conclusion
The name Asher has a lot going for it. It’s an ancient name that feels new, since it was rarely used up until relatively recently. It’s simple to spell and pronounce, and has the cute potential nickname Ash.
It’s a versatile name that can have a Biblical, classic, or contemporary feel depending on which middle names you pair it with.
My personal choices from the suggestions offered in this article would probably be Asher Jeremiah, Asher Francis, or Asher Elliott. Good luck with your decision!
