asha

Asha is a name and term with multiple origins and uses. In Sanskrit, Āśā means "hope," "wish," or "expectation." The name is widely used as a feminine given name in India and among Indian communities abroad, and it appears in other languages with similar spellings.

As a given name, Asha conveys positive associations and is chosen for girls in many Indian communities. Variants include Aashi, among others, but the form Asha remains common in several languages and cultural contexts.

In religion and philosophy, Asha appears in Zoroastrianism as a central concept referring to truth, righteousness, and cosmic order. It denotes a universal principle that guides moral conduct and the functioning of the world, and it is closely tied to ideas of divine law and harmony.

Acronyms and organizations: ASHA may refer to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, a major professional body for the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology in the United States. It also stands for Accredited Social Health Activist, a designation for community health workers in India who operate under the National Rural Health Mission.

In culture and media, the name Asha appears in literature and cinema, and it is used by various organizations and charitable groups worldwide, reflecting its positive meanings of hope and order.