Ambrose Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: AM-brose //ˈæm.broʊz//
Origin: Latin; Greek
Meaning: Latin: 'immortal'; Greek: 'divine'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Ambrose originates from the Greek name "Ambrosios," which means "immortal" or "divine." This term is derived from the Greek word "ambrosia," referring to the food of the gods in mythology, symbolizing immortality and divine favor. The name made its way into Latin as "Ambrosius," which was used in early Christian contexts, and subsequently entered the English language through Old French in the medieval period.
The transition into English was facilitated by the influence of the Latin ecclesiastical tradition, particularly during the spread of Christianity across Europe. Historically, one of the most notable figures bearing this name was Saint Ambrose of Milan, who lived in the 4th century.
He was a significant theologian and one of the four original Doctors of the Church, known for his role in the development of Christian doctrine and his opposition to Arianism. His influence extended beyond theology; he was also a prominent political figure, serving as the Bishop of Milan from 374 until his death in 397.
His writings and sermons contributed to the shaping of early Christian thought, and he is often credited with introducing hymns into Christian worship. The name Ambrose became associated with sanctity and wisdom, particularly in the context of the Christian tradition.
Culturally, the name Ambrose has resonated through various literary and artistic works, often symbolizing enlightenment and moral integrity. The name has been used in various forms of literature, including works by authors such as Shakespeare and in the writings of the Church Fathers.
Additionally, the diminutive form "Brose" has appeared in some contexts, reflecting a more familiar or affectionate usage. The enduring legacy of the name Ambrose is tied to its rich historical and cultural associations, embodying themes of divinity, wisdom, and moral fortitude.
Famous people named Ambrose
In this section, you will find notable people named Ambrose. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Ambrose who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Ambrose who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Ambrose Burnside is a military officer best known for his role in the American Civil War and for the Burnside rifle.
Fictional characters named Ambrose
The following list of fictional characters named Ambrose is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Ambrose is a fictional character from the novel The Secret History by Donna Tartt. He is a charismatic and enigmatic student who plays a central role in the story's exploration of morality and consequence.
Ambrose is a fictional character from the comic book series The Sandman by Neil Gaiman. He is a member of the Endless, representing the concept of desire and often influencing the lives of mortals and immortals alike.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Ambrose, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Ambrose. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Ambrose was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Ambrose has ranked as high as #966 nationally, which occurred in 2021, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, New York, California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
In the past 5 years the name Ambrose has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Ambrose is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Ambrose was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Ambrose (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 26 | |
| TX | 23 | |
| MI | 16 | |
| IN | 16 | |
| OH | 15 | |
| IL | 15 | |
| PA | 14 | |
| FL | 14 | |
| LA | 11 | |
| AZ | 10 | |
| MN | 10 | |
| NC | 10 | |
| NY | 9 | |
| WA | 9 | |
| WI | 9 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Ambrose.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 345 |
| 2023 | 320 |
| 2022 | 364 |
| 2021 | 402 |
| 2020 | 280 |
| 2019 | 222 |
| 2018 | 118 |
| 2017 | 96 |
| 2016 | 97 |
| 2015 | 101 |
| 2014 | 89 |
| 2013 | 95 |
| 2012 | 75 |
| 2011 | 56 |
| 2010 | 60 |
| 2009 | 53 |
| 2008 | 67 |
| 2007 | 59 |
| 2006 | 59 |
| 2005 | 50 |
| 2004 | 49 |
| 2003 | 42 |
| 2002 | 42 |
| 2001 | 25 |
| 2000 | 41 |
| 1999 | 29 |
| 1998 | 29 |
| 1997 | 35 |
| 1996 | 28 |
| 1995 | 30 |
| 1994 | 26 |
| 1993 | 40 |
| 1992 | 34 |
| 1991 | 45 |
| 1990 | 41 |
| 1989 | 36 |
| 1988 | 41 |
| 1987 | 41 |
| 1986 | 40 |
| 1985 | 40 |
| 1984 | 25 |
| 1983 | 37 |
| 1982 | 28 |
| 1981 | 36 |
| 1980 | 36 |
| 1979 | 37 |
| 1978 | 31 |
| 1977 | 35 |
| 1976 | 26 |
| 1975 | 44 |
| 1974 | 29 |
| 1973 | 28 |
| 1972 | 33 |
| 1971 | 32 |
| 1970 | 28 |
| 1969 | 25 |
| 1968 | 47 |
| 1967 | 22 |
| 1966 | 28 |
| 1965 | 43 |
| 1964 | 49 |
| 1963 | 39 |
| 1962 | 57 |
| 1961 | 39 |
| 1960 | 51 |
| 1959 | 44 |
| 1958 | 51 |
| 1957 | 46 |
| 1956 | 47 |
| 1955 | 49 |
| 1954 | 63 |
| 1953 | 55 |
| 1952 | 56 |
| 1951 | 46 |
| 1950 | 37 |
| 1949 | 47 |
| 1948 | 64 |
| 1947 | 59 |
| 1946 | 45 |
| 1945 | 46 |
| 1944 | 66 |
| 1943 | 83 |
| 1942 | 85 |
| 1941 | 47 |
| 1940 | 64 |
| 1939 | 55 |
| 1938 | 67 |
| 1937 | 63 |
| 1936 | 79 |
| 1935 | 80 |
| 1934 | 74 |
| 1933 | 84 |
| 1932 | 104 |
| 1931 | 72 |
| 1930 | 104 |
| 1929 | 104 |
| 1928 | 123 |
| 1927 | 111 |
| 1926 | 155 |
| 1925 | 165 |
| 1924 | 166 |
| 1923 | 158 |
| 1922 | 170 |
| 1921 | 195 |
| 1920 | 209 |
| 1919 | 187 |
| 1918 | 192 |
| 1917 | 199 |
| 1916 | 179 |
| 1915 | 187 |
| 1914 | 147 |
| 1913 | 122 |
| 1912 | 98 |
| 1911 | 42 |
| 1910 | 48 |
| 1909 | 41 |
| 1908 | 25 |
| 1907 | 27 |
| 1906 | 33 |
| 1905 | 24 |
| 1904 | 34 |
| 1903 | 32 |
| 1902 | 26 |
| 1901 | 35 |
| 1900 | 47 |
| 1899 | 28 |
| 1898 | 43 |
| 1897 | 37 |
| 1896 | 42 |
| 1895 | 38 |
| 1894 | 34 |
| 1893 | 52 |
| 1892 | 31 |
| 1891 | 27 |
| 1890 | 37 |
| 1889 | 27 |
| 1888 | 41 |
| 1887 | 29 |
| 1886 | 30 |
| 1885 | 32 |
| 1884 | 36 |
| 1883 | 36 |
| 1882 | 38 |
| 1881 | 43 |
| 1880 | 32 |