Cmon man. Why they give that guy the name “Ashley”
I was so confused when Scarlett is talking about being in love with someone named Ashley. I knew she couldn’t be lesbian in a 1940 movie, so I didn’t know why she’d be in love with someone named Ashley. I was shocked to find out that Ashley is a guy
Appearantly, it is a gender-neutral name.
https://www.behindthename.com/name/ashley
Ashley was originally a male name, and remained so until the mid 20th century when he began migrating to be a female name. It still is used for boys, but rarely these days.
shareAt least he wasn't named "Meredith." I've heard of men having that girly name too.
What really irritated me about Scarlett (among many things) was she spent the entire F-ing film pining for this weak little milquetoast of a man that had no interest in her at all, and was kept as far away from her as possible. Meanwhile, Rhett Butler, who was perfect for her, was right there and she didn't appreciate a damned thing about him or what he did for her. It's one of many reasons I'm not a big fan of this film.
Scarlett clearly had a lot of issues going on, but I guess that she only wanted Ashley because she idealized him without really knowing him.
It is probably also a matter of her wanting him just because she couldn't have him.
Ashley was a surname. Surnames were more popular with boys until later last century. A lot of boy's names went to girls but never went back to boys.
shareGood to know. But it did throw me off the first time watching this film!
shareI think Ashley was his middle name. In the novel Melanie receives a letter addressed to Mrs. George Ashley Wilkes. Just like Scarlett’s name was actually Katie Scarlett. Don’t know if using middle names was a big thing back then.
shareWith the popularity of John Wayne, I'm surprised Marion never became a popular boy's name.
Or even Sue, for the Johnny Cash fans.