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Re: Is there a reason why Ashley "switched" genders?
Like many other names that started out as surnames (Kimberly, Beverley, Ashley etc.), and other originally masculine names that became feminized (Valery, Jody, Jamie etc.) it's simply because the final |i:| sound became perceived as a feminine indicator in English. Other surnames that first moved to masculine first names (such as Evelyn) have suffered a similar fate, for slightly different reasons. Its been happening for thousands of years, especially as names cross linguistic boundaries in time or location and new users are not aware that their pretty feminine name was actually a masculine name in origin.
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