UK boy's name
Ashok
Sanskrit name meaning "without sorrow" or "free from grief".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2008. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Ashok is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Ashok popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2008 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4432, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2005, with 4 births.
This profile covers 10 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 1996 to 2008. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 10 living people in the UK are called Ashok. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2009 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Ashok ranked #4432 for boys in England and Wales in 2008, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2005, when 4 boys were registered as Ashok.
- • About 10 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ashok as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4432
2008
Births in 2008
3
Latest year
Peak year
2005
4 births
Estimated living
10
2026
Meaning
What does Ashok mean?
The name Ashok is of Sanskrit origin and has its roots in ancient Hindu culture. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "ashoka," which means "without sorrow" or "free from grief." The name is closely associated with the legendary Emperor Ashoka, who ruled the Maurya Empire in the 3rd century BCE.
Ashoka, also known as Ashoka the Great, was one of the most influential rulers in ancient Indian history. He played a pivotal role in the spread of Buddhism across the Indian subcontinent and beyond. The name Ashok gained widespread popularity after the reign of this great emperor.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ashok can be found in the Ashokan inscriptions, a series of edicts carved on rocks and pillars throughout the Indian subcontinent during the reign of Emperor Ashoka. These inscriptions provide valuable insights into the life and teachings of Ashoka and serve as a testament to his commitment to promoting non-violence, compassion, and religious tolerance.
Throughout history, the name Ashok has been associated with various notable individuals. One such figure is Ashoka Maurya (304-232 BCE), the renowned emperor of the Maurya Empire, whose reign is considered a golden age in Indian history. Another prominent bearer of the name was Ashoka Ghosh (1909-1976), an Indian revolutionary and freedom fighter who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement.
In the realm of literature, the name Ashok is also associated with the famous Bengali writer and poet, Ashok Kumar Sarkar (1936-2022), who was widely acclaimed for his contributions to modern Bengali literature. Ashok Leyland, the renowned Indian commercial vehicle manufacturer, was founded by Raghunandan Saran in 1948 and named in honor of the legendary Emperor Ashoka.
Another notable bearer of the name was Ashok Soota (born 1942), an Indian business executive and entrepreneur who co-founded and served as the president of Mindtree, a leading Indian IT services company. Ashok Kumar (1911-2001), an iconic Indian actor and producer, left an indelible mark on the Indian film industry with his performances in numerous classic Bollywood movies.
While the name Ashok has its origins in ancient India, it has transcended cultural and geographical boundaries and is now used globally. Its rich historical significance and association with notable figures have contributed to its enduring popularity across generations.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Ashok over time
The chart below shows babies named Ashok registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2008. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Ashok, the clearest high point is 2005. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2008, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Ashok by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ashok was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #3820 | 7 | 2 |
| 1990s | #2863 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Ashok
- Alfie 86,546
- Alexander 85,525
- Adam 71,855
- Archie 59,965
- Arthur 43,586
- Aaron 36,366
- Alex 32,729
- Andrew 20,169
- Arlo 19,061
- Aidan 16,776
- Albie 16,017
- Albert 15,809
FAQ
Ashok: questions and answers
How popular is the name Ashok in the UK right now?
In 2008, Ashok was ranked #4432 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Ashok most popular?
The peak year on record was 2005, with 4 babies registered as Ashok in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Ashok?
Sanskrit name meaning "without sorrow" or "free from grief".
How many people are called Ashok in the UK?
A total of 10 babies have been registered as Ashok across the 3 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.