Amber
From amber, from Middle English ambre, from Old French ambre, from Latin ambar, from Arabic عَنْبَر (ʕanbar, “ambergris”).
Every Amber since 1880 — 375,668 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Amber
Amber is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #520 in 2025 with 576 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 375,668 American babies have been named Amber. Its peak came in 1986, when 17,008 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Amber stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Amber year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 576 | #520 | — | — |
| 2024 | 562 | #540 | — | — |
| 2023 | 519 | #575 | — | — |
| 2022 | 570 | #541 | — | — |
| 2021 | 579 | #534 | — | — |
| 2020 | 596 | #510 | — | — |
| 2019 | 653 | #480 | — | — |
| 2018 | 666 | #469 | — | — |
| 2017 | 782 | #403 | — | — |
| 2016 | 872 | #375 | — | — |
| 2015 | 978 | #334 | — | — |
| 2014 | 1,064 | #305 | — | — |
| 2013 | 1,114 | #285 | — | — |
| 2012 | 1,237 | #261 | — | — |
| 2011 | 1,238 | #258 | — | — |
| 2010 | 1,419 | #222 | — | — |
| 2009 | 1,775 | #185 | 6 | #11,066 |
| 2008 | 2,063 | #165 | — | — |
| 2007 | 2,405 | #145 | — | — |
| 2006 | 2,588 | #136 | 6 | #10,747 |
| 2005 | 3,147 | #101 | 10 | #7,124 |
| 2004 | 3,639 | #87 | 21 | #4,135 |
| 2003 | 4,123 | #74 | 6 | #9,628 |
| 2002 | 4,723 | #65 | 5 | #10,750 |
| 2001 | 5,572 | #51 | 6 | #9,297 |
| 2000 | 6,182 | #47 | 10 | #6,337 |
| 1995 | 10,965 | #22 | 21 | #3,196 |
| 1990 | 15,866 | #15 | 43 | #1,809 |
| 1985 | 15,506 | #16 | 46 | #1,452 |
| 1980 | 12,553 | #22 | 45 | #1,410 |
| 1975 | 4,683 | #59 | 19 | #2,289 |
| 1970 | 1,288 | #243 | — | — |
| 1965 | 525 | #404 | — | — |
| 1960 | 282 | #589 | — | — |
| 1955 | 129 | #853 | — | — |
| 1950 | 87 | #972 | — | — |
| 1945 | 65 | #954 | — | — |
| 1940 | 20 | #1,792 | — | — |
| 1935 | 20 | #1,722 | — | — |
| 1930 | 21 | #1,749 | — | — |
| 1925 | 35 | #1,348 | — | — |
| 1920 | 28 | #1,550 | — | — |
| 1915 | 39 | #1,075 | — | — |
| 1910 | 28 | #813 | — | — |
| 1905 | 18 | #872 | — | — |
| 1900 | 15 | #971 | — | — |
| 1895 | 16 | #789 | — | — |
| 1890 | 10 | #873 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | 9 | #583 | — | — |
Famous people named Amber
- Amber Heard Actor · b. 1986
- Amber Lynn Pornographic actor · b. 1964
- Amber Valletta Actor · b. 1974
- Amber Tamblyn Actor · b. 1983
- Amber Benson Actor · b. 1977
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Amber mean?
From amber, from Middle English ambre, from Old French ambre, from Latin ambar, from Arabic عَنْبَر (ʕanbar, “ambergris”).
How popular is the name Amber in 2025?
Amber ranked #520 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 576 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Amber?
375,668 babies have been named Amber in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Amber most popular?
Amber peaked in 1986, when 17,008 newborns received the name.
Is Amber a boy or girl name?
Amber is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Amber rising or falling?
Amber is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Amber?
Well-known people named Amber include Amber Heard (actor), Amber Lynn (pornographic actor), Amber Valletta (actor).