Amber Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: AM-ber //ˈæm.bər//
Origin: English; Arabic
Meaning: English: fossilized tree resin; Arabic: jewel
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Amber derives from the Arabic word "anbar," which refers to ambergris, a substance produced in the intestines of sperm whales and historically valued for its use in perfumery. The term made its way into the Latin language as "amber" (from the Arabic), which was then adopted into Old French as "ambre." The English language incorporated the term in the late Middle Ages, specifically around the 14th century, to describe the fossilized tree resin known for its warm, golden hue.
This resin was often used in jewelry and ornamentation, contributing to the name's association with beauty and warmth. Historically, amber has been significant in various cultures.
In ancient times, it was believed to possess protective qualities and was often used in amulets. The Greeks and Romans valued amber not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its supposed medicinal properties.
The name Amber, while primarily associated with the resin, also gained symbolic importance in literature and art, representing the beauty of nature and the passage of time. The name has been used in various literary works, reflecting its cultural resonance.
In the context of historical milestones, amber has been mentioned in various texts, including those from the Classical era, where it was linked to the myth of the sun god Helios and his son Phaethon, who was said to have fallen into the river Eridanus, turning the waters to amber. This mythological connection further solidified amber's place in cultural narratives.
The name Amber, while not directly associated with specific saints or biblical figures, carries a sense of timelessness and natural beauty that has allowed it to endure through centuries.
Famous people named Amber
Amber Heard is an actress best known for Aquaman, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, and The Rum Diary.
Amber Riley is an actress and singer best known for Glee, Dreamgirls, and Dancing with the Stars.
Amber Rose is a model and television personality best known for her appearances on The Amber Rose Show, Dancing with the Stars, and her advocacy work.
Amber Tamblyn is an actress and author best known for 2 Broke Girls, Joan of Arcadia, and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
Fictional characters named Amber
Amber is a fictional character from the video game series The Legend of Zelda. She is a key figure in the storyline, often associated with the mystical elements of the game world.
Sibling suggestions
Similar names
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Amber was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Amber has ranked as high as #39 nationally, which occurred in 1986, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Ohio, Florida, and Pennsylvania.
In the past 5 years the name Amber has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Amber (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 109 | |
| TX | 65 | |
| NY | 46 | |
| FL | 36 | |
| AZ | 19 | |
| PA | 16 | |
| NJ | 16 | |
| UT | 16 | |
| WI | 15 | |
| IL | 15 | |
| TN | 14 | |
| GA | 14 | |
| OH | 13 | |
| WA | 13 | |
| MA | 13 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880 | 9 |
| 1881 | 5 |
| 1884 | 6 |
| 1887 | 9 |
| 1888 | 9 |
| 1889 | 8 |
| 1890 | 10 |
| 1891 | 10 |
| 1892 | 10 |
| 1893 | 15 |
| 1894 | 12 |
| 1895 | 16 |
| 1896 | 17 |
| 1897 | 15 |
| 1898 | 15 |
| 1899 | 11 |
| 1900 | 15 |
| 1901 | 13 |
| 1902 | 9 |
| 1903 | 7 |
| 1904 | 29 |
| 1905 | 18 |
| 1906 | 16 |
| 1907 | 24 |
| 1908 | 20 |
| 1909 | 19 |
| 1910 | 28 |
| 1911 | 14 |
| 1912 | 19 |
| 1913 | 35 |
| 1914 | 38 |
| 1915 | 39 |
| 1916 | 52 |
| 1917 | 40 |
| 1918 | 29 |
| 1919 | 33 |
| 1920 | 28 |
| 1921 | 38 |
| 1922 | 34 |
| 1923 | 24 |
| 1924 | 28 |
| 1925 | 35 |
| 1926 | 29 |
| 1927 | 26 |
| 1928 | 37 |
| 1929 | 25 |
| 1930 | 21 |
| 1931 | 23 |
| 1932 | 15 |
| 1933 | 11 |
| 1934 | 28 |
| 1935 | 20 |
| 1936 | 22 |
| 1937 | 12 |
| 1938 | 21 |
| 1939 | 19 |
| 1940 | 20 |
| 1941 | 20 |
| 1942 | 19 |
| 1943 | 22 |
| 1944 | 25 |
| 1945 | 65 |
| 1946 | 98 |
| 1947 | 87 |
| 1948 | 88 |
| 1949 | 93 |
| 1950 | 87 |
| 1951 | 96 |
| 1952 | 108 |
| 1953 | 98 |
| 1954 | 107 |
| 1955 | 129 |
| 1956 | 122 |
| 1957 | 137 |
| 1958 | 163 |
| 1959 | 208 |
| 1960 | 282 |
| 1961 | 335 |
| 1962 | 377 |
| 1963 | 401 |
| 1964 | 479 |
| 1965 | 525 |
| 1966 | 528 |
| 1967 | 627 |
| 1968 | 887 |
| 1969 | 1,026 |
| 1970 | 1,289 |
| 1971 | 1,721 |
| 1972 | 1,812 |
| 1973 | 2,180 |
| 1974 | 3,273 |
| 1975 | 4,683 |
| 1976 | 5,646 |
| 1977 | 7,207 |
| 1978 | 8,174 |
| 1979 | 11,080 |
| 1980 | 12,553 |
| 1981 | 13,813 |
| 1982 | 14,677 |
| 1983 | 14,893 |
| 1984 | 15,369 |
| 1985 | 15,506 |
| 1986 | 16,955 |
| 1987 | 16,749 |
| 1988 | 16,676 |
| 1989 | 16,760 |
| 1990 | 15,866 |
| 1991 | 14,993 |
| 1992 | 13,917 |
| 1993 | 14,065 |
| 1994 | 12,343 |
| 1995 | 10,965 |
| 1996 | 9,771 |
| 1997 | 8,914 |
| 1998 | 7,930 |
| 1999 | 6,841 |
| 2000 | 6,181 |
| 2001 | 5,572 |
| 2002 | 4,723 |
| 2003 | 4,123 |
| 2004 | 3,639 |
| 2005 | 3,146 |
| 2006 | 2,588 |
| 2007 | 2,405 |
| 2008 | 2,063 |
| 2009 | 1,775 |
| 2010 | 1,419 |
| 2011 | 1,236 |
| 2012 | 1,237 |
| 2013 | 1,114 |
| 2014 | 1,064 |
| 2015 | 978 |
| 2016 | 871 |
| 2017 | 782 |
| 2018 | 665 |
| 2019 | 653 |
| 2020 | 594 |
| 2021 | 579 |
| 2022 | 569 |
| 2023 | 519 |
| 2024 | 558 |