Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Amy
GirlEnglish, French· “beloved”
- Meaning
- beloved
- Origin
- English, French
- Pronunciation
- AY-mee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #257
- US babies 2025
- 1,200
- Best rank
- #2 (1973)
- Peak year
- 1975
Meaning and origin of Amy
Amy is an English and French name that means “beloved”.
Amy comes from the Old French Amée, "beloved," which goes back to the Latin amatus. It was used in medieval England and returned to favor in the nineteenth century, partly through Amy Robsart, the tragic heroine of Walter Scott's novel Kenilworth, and Amy March, the youngest sister in Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. The aviator Amy Johnson and the singer Amy Winehouse are well-known later bearers. Amy is short, sweet and warm, a simple classic that is easy to spell. The French form Aimée is a stylish alternative.
Other spellings with the same sound: Aimee, Amey.
Popularity over time
Amy 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 146 different years. Its best national rank was #2 in 1973, and the most babies received it in 1975, when 32,254 were named Amy. In 2025, 1,200 babies were named Amy, and it ranked #257 nationally. That is 41% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #263 in 1920, #218 in 1950, #8 in 1980, #105 in 2000, #136 in 2010, and #257 in 2025. Of the 701,631 US girls named Amy since records began, 38% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 150,662 babies. Since 2010, 28,127 more have been named Amy.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Heather.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Amy ranked highest in Maryland, New York, and Florida.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | #136 | 34 |
| New York | #172 | 93 |
| Florida | #174 | 100 |
| California | #180 | 181 |
| Arizona | #189 | 35 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Amy is usually pronounced AY-mee, with two syllables. It has three letters, starts with A and ends in “-my”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Aimee and Amey.
Middle names for Amy
A few middle names that flow with Amy: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Amy
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Lists that include Amy
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Amy mean?
Amy is an English and French name that means “beloved”.
What is the origin of the name Amy?
Amy has English, French, and Latin roots. Amy comes from the Old French Amée, "beloved," which goes back to the Latin amatus.
Is Amy a popular name?
Yes. Amy ranked #257 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Amy a boy or girl name?
Amy is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Amy?
Amy is usually pronounced AY-mee. 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