Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Amber
GirlEnglish, Arabic· “amber, fossil resin”
- Meaning
- amber, fossil resin
- Origin
- English, Arabic
- Pronunciation
- AM-ber
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #520
- US babies 2025
- 576
- Best rank
- #13 (1986)
- Peak year
- 1986
Meaning and origin of Amber
Amber is an English and Arabic name that means “amber, fossil resin”.
Amber is taken from the English word for fossilized tree resin, prized since ancient times for its warm golden color and used in jewelry. The word came into English through Old French from the Arabic anbar, which originally referred to ambergris before shifting to the resin. As a given name Amber first appeared in the late nineteenth century, when gem names became fashionable, and it became especially popular in the United States and Britain in the late twentieth century. It has a warm, glowing quality and suits someone with a sunny personality. The name is simple to spell and say.
Popularity over time
Amber has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 109 different years. Its best national rank was #13 in 1986, the same year it reached its highest count of 16,954 babies. In 2025, 576 babies were named Amber, and it ranked #520 nationally. That is 41% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,550 in 1920, #972 in 1950, #22 in 1980, #47 in 2000, #222 in 2010, and #520 in 2025. Of the 374,690 US girls named Amber since records began, 41% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 115,605 babies. Since 2010, 13,425 more have been named Amber.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Danielle, Christina, Rachel, Nicole, and Erica.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Amber ranked highest in Nevada, Utah, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | #265 | 10 |
| Utah | #290 | 15 |
| California | #314 | 104 |
| Colorado | #318 | 19 |
| New Jersey | #373 | 21 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Amber is usually pronounced AM-ber, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with A and ends in “-er”.
Middle names for Amber
A few middle names that flow with Amber: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Amber
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Lists that include Amber
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Amber mean?
Amber is an English and Arabic name that means “amber, fossil resin”.
What is the origin of the name Amber?
Amber has English and Arabic roots. Amber is taken from the English word for fossilized tree resin, prized since ancient times for its warm golden color and used in jewelry.
Is Amber a popular name?
Yes. Amber ranked #520 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Amber a boy or girl name?
Amber is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Amber?
Amber is usually pronounced AM-ber. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings