Ashley, Ashlee, and Ashli

I was born in 1983, the height of the "Ashley" movement. In 1983, Ashley jumped up 13 places to #4. In 1984, to #3. In 1982, it hit #2 where it stayed until 1991. In 1991, it hit #1. In 1993, it went back to #2. In 1996, it was #3. In 1998, it hit #4. It slipped to #6 in 1999. And for the last 8 years, it's been the 5th most popular name.

For a long time, I didn't like my name. I didn't like being an Ashley, because every time I turned around, they were calling the other Ashley. I had no idea what my mother was thinking when she bestowed this on me.

I've spent the majority of my adult life debunking the myth that ALL Ashley's are dumb, ditsy, not the brightest crayon in the box. It's been really hard. I mean, REALLY hard. I actually have a co-worker that said, "You are probably the smartest Ashley I know." I was happy to hear it. It just means that all my efforts weren't in vain! YES!

For a long time I hated my name. No, scratch that, I despised it. I wish my mother would have given me another name. A different name. A cooler name. Growing up, there were lots of Ashley's...Ashlee's...and Ashli's. It sucked. I graduated with a handful, and there were even more in lower grades.

No, I wasn't named after Ashley in Gone With The Wind. Actually, I was named after Fonzie's girlfriend...but thanks.

Yes, I know. A-s-h-l-e-y is a boy's spelling. But, did YOU know that it's only a boy's spelling if the majority of babies named Ashley are actually boys. But since the majority of babies named Ashley in the States are girls, it's a girl's spelling.

It took me a long time, but I like my name. I look like an Ashley. I'm cooler than the average Ashley. Its a good thing now.