Declining since 2020, #7,133 for girls today.
Popularity of Amala since 1991
Babies named Amala per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 32 |
| 2000s | 74 |
| 2010s | 103 |
| 2020s | 117 |
Meaning & origin
Amala is a cross-cultural name with roots in both Sanskrit and Arabic. In the United States, it first appeared on the Social Security Administration's records in 1991. Since 2020, its usage has been slowly declining, though it reached its highest rank (7,133) and one-in-107,151 frequency in 2025. The name remains rare, with no top states showing outsized popularity. Its dual heritage gives it a global feel without sacrificing simplicity.
Amala derives from Sanskrit अमल (amala) meaning 'pure, spotless', a common element in Hindu names. It also appears as an Arabic name from أمل (amal) 'hope', which can be written as Amal with a different vowel. The name has been used in India and across the Arabic-speaking world, though the two traditions are unrelated. In the U.S., it has gained modest attention since the 1990s, possibly influenced by cultural figures like Indian actress Amala Akkineni.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Amy, Mala
Sibling names for Amala
Names that share Amala's style, for a brother or sister.
