Ask is a Norse masculine name derived from Old Norse askr, meaning "ash tree." In Norse mythology, Ask (often paired with Embla) was the first human man, created by the gods from an ash tree, while Embla, his wife, was formed from an elm tree. The myth appears in the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda; according to these sources, the gods Odin, Vili, and Vé (or Odin, Hoenir, and Loki in some versions) found two trees on the seashore and shaped them into humans, giving them life, spirit, and senses. Linguistic Origins The name Ask comes from the Old Norse askr ("ash tree"), connecting it to nature and the cosmological tree Yggdrasil, which is often conceived as an ash. Its variant Askr is a direct Old Norse form, while "Ask" is the modern Swedish and adapted version. The same root appears in English "ash" and other Germanic languages. As a surname, Ask occurs in Swedish-speaking regions and has been present in the United States since at least the 1900s; US Census data from 2010 records 585 individuals with the surname Ask, predominantly White. Notable Bearers In modern times, Ask is uncommon as a given name outside Scandinavia and remains rare globally. It occasionally appears as a first name in Iceland and Norway, often inspired by the myth. Noted individuals with the surname include athletes, musicians, and academics, such as Swedish footballer Andreas Ask and Norwegian musician Ask Embla (stage name). Cultural and Mythological Significance The legend of Ask and Embla parallels other creation myths where humanity emerges from wood or clay. In addition to the Eddas, the story was recounted by the 13th-century historian Snorri Sturluson. The ash tree itself held symbolic value in Norse culture, linked to Yggdrasil, the central axis of the cosmos. The name thus carries poetic associations of life, origin, and connection to nature. Variants and Related Forms Askr is the Old Norse variant, also used in modern contexts as a revival. Embla, the female counterpart, comes from almr ("elm") or perhaps Germanic *almilōn, meaning "working female" or "favored." Together, Ask and Embla are rarely given as a sibset but appear in literary and artistic works referencing Norse mythology. Meaning: Ash tree Origin: Old Norse Type: Given name (masculine), also surname Association in mythology: First human in Norse creation myth; partnered with Embla