'asherah' originates from Northwest Semitic (Ugaritic/Hebrew), specifically the word 'Athirat' (sometimes vocalized as 'Asherah' in Hebrew), where the name functioned as a title meaning 'lady' or a goddess-figure.

'asherah' changed from the Ugaritic/Hebrew divine name 'Athirat' (or related Northwest Semitic forms) and entered English via Biblical Hebrew and scholarly transliteration of ancient texts, becoming the modern English 'asherah'.

Initially, it referred primarily to the goddess herself; over time the term also came to be applied to cult objects (wooden poles or sacred trees) associated with her worship, a usage that survives in archaeological and biblical descriptions.