Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Ember
GirlEnglish, Old English· “glowing coal”
- Meaning
- glowing coal
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- EHM-bur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #154
- US babies 2025
- 1,952
- Best rank
- #135 (2024)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Ember
Ember is an English and Old English name that means “glowing coal”.
Ember is the English word for a small, glowing piece of coal or wood left in a dying fire, from Old English æmerge. As a given name it is a modern word-name, chosen for its warm imagery of heat and light that keeps going after the flames die down. It fits alongside other nature and element names such as Blaze, Aurora and River, and it also echoes familiar names like Emma and Amber in sound. Ember is short, bright and easy to spell. It has no traditional nicknames, though Em works naturally, and it pairs well with softer classic middle names.
Popularity over time
Ember first appears in US Social Security records in 1946. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 17 different years, starting in 2009. Its best national rank was #135 in 2024, the same year it reached its highest count of 2,183 babies. In 2025, 1,952 babies were named Ember, and it ranked #154 nationally. That is 116% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #2,664 in 1980, #2,289 in 2000, #824 in 2010, and #154 in 2025. Of the 22,646 US girls named Ember since records began, 49% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 8,583 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Amira, Alina, Scottie, Magnolia, and Hallie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ember ranked highest in Wyoming, Alaska, and South Dakota.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | #18 | 10 |
| Alaska | #32 | 13 |
| South Dakota | #41 | 18 |
| Montana | #41 | 16 |
| Idaho | #42 | 35 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Ember over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Ember is usually pronounced EHM-bur, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with E and ends in “-er”.
Middle names for Ember
A few middle names that flow with Ember: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ember
Similar names
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“pipe player” · English
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Holly Girl
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“the holly tree” · English
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Lists that include Ember
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ember mean?
Ember is an English and Old English name that means “glowing coal”.
What is the origin of the name Ember?
Ember has English and Old English roots. Ember is the English word for a small, glowing piece of coal or wood left in a dying fire, from Old English æmerge.
Is Ember a popular name?
Yes. Ember ranked #154 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Ember a boy or girl name?
Ember is mainly a girl's name. About 98% of US babies named Ember over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Ember?
Ember is usually pronounced EHM-bur. 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