Boy Old & New Testament Known
Asher
happiness
אָשֵׁר Ἀσήρ a.sher
Asher (Hebrew: אָשֵׁר, a.sher) means “happiness”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 46 verses across 13 books of the Bible. In 2025 it was given to 7,519 children in the United States, ranking 28. Use is rising. Around 112,690 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Imnah in Numbers 26.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Asher
son of Jacob; related to Shamma; related to Arah
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 46 across 13 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Both
- Era
- Patriarchal
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 7,519 | Rising |
| All-time total | 112,690 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 8,527 in 2022 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | TX | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Genesis 30:13 |
| Last appears | Revelation 7:6 |
| Cross-references | 321 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Benjamin attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Jacob.
- Levi attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Jacob.
- Issachar attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Jacob.
- Dan attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Jacob.
- Reuben attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Jacob.
- Gad attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Jacob.
- Joseph attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Jacob.
- Baal attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Jacob.
Origin & meaning
A man of the tribe of Asher living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.30.13;
son of: Israel (H3478) and Zilpah (H2153);
brother of: Gad (H1410);
half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144);
father of: Imnah (H3232), Ishvah (H3438), Ishvi (H3440), Beriah (H1283) and Serah (H8294); also translated "pine" or "cypress wood" at Ezk.27.6(?); Ashurite at 2Sa.2.9(?);
§ Asher = "happy"
1) son of Jacob and Zilpah
2) the tribe descended from Asher
3) a city east of Shechem in Manasseh
Asher was the eighth son of Jacob, born to Zilpah, Leah's maidservant, and became the founder of the tribe of Asher (Gen.30.13; 35:26; 46:17; 49:20; Exo.1.4; Num.1.13, 40-41; 2:27; 7:72; 10:26; 13:13; 26:44-47; 34:27; Deu.27.13; 33:24; Jos.17.7, 10-11; 19:24, 31, 34; 21:6, 30; Jdg.1.31; 5:17; 6:35; 7:23; 2Sa.2.9; 1Ki.4.16; 1Ch.2.2; 6:62, 74; 7:30, 40; 12:36; 2Ch.30.11; Ezk.48.2-3, 34; Luke 2:36; Rev.7.6).
The biblical story
Asher was the eighth son of Israel (or 'Jacob') and the second son of Zilpah, Leah's maidservant. He was born in Paddan-aram and was one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Asher's descendants formed the tribe of Asher, which was allocated territory in the northern part of Canaan, along the Mediterranean coast. The tribe of Asher was known for its fertile land and abundance of olive oil. In the blessings of Jacob and Moses, Asher was described as being blessed with rich food and providing royal delicacies. During the period of the judges, Asher was criticized for not joining the fight against Sisera. The tribe of Asher was among those taken into Assyrian captivity. In the New Testament, Anna, a prophetess, is mentioned as being from the tribe of Asher. In the book of Revelation, 12,000 from the tribe of Asher are sealed as servants of God.
Key verses
Asher appears in 46 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher.
Genesis 30:13 -
And the sons of Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid; Gad, and Asher: these are the sons of Jacob, which were born to him in Padan–aram.
Genesis 35:26 -
And the sons of Asher; Jimnah, and Ishuah, and Isui, and Beriah, and Serah their sister: and the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel.
Genesis 46:17 -
Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.
Genesis 49:20 -
Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
Exodus 1:4
Show all 46 references
Genesis (4)
- Genesis 30:13
- Genesis 35:26
- Genesis 46:17
- Genesis 49:20
Exodus (1)
- Exodus 1:4
Numbers (11)
- Numbers 1:13
- Numbers 1:40
- Numbers 1:41
- Numbers 2:27
- Numbers 7:72
- Numbers 10:26
- Numbers 13:13
- Numbers 26:44
- Numbers 26:46
- Numbers 26:47
- Numbers 34:27
Deuteronomy (2)
- Deuteronomy 27:13
- Deuteronomy 33:24
Joshua (8)
- Joshua 17:7
- Joshua 17:10
- Joshua 17:11
- Joshua 19:24
- Joshua 19:31
- Joshua 19:34
- Joshua 21:6
- Joshua 21:30
Judges (5)
- Judges 1:31
- Judges 1:32
- Judges 5:17
- Judges 6:35
- Judges 7:23
2 Samuel (1)
- 2 Samuel 2:9
1 Kings (1)
- 1 Kings 4:16
1 Chronicles (6)
- 1 Chronicles 2:2
- 1 Chronicles 6:62
- 1 Chronicles 6:74
- 1 Chronicles 7:30
- 1 Chronicles 7:40
- 1 Chronicles 12:36
2 Chronicles (1)
- 2 Chronicles 30:11
Ezekiel (4)
- Ezekiel 27:6
- Ezekiel 48:2
- Ezekiel 48:3
- Ezekiel 48:34
Luke (1)
- Luke 2:36
Revelation (1)
- Revelation 7:6
Name variants & nicknames
- Ash — nickname
- Aser — KJV New Testament form (also Spanish)