A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Ambrose since 1880
Babies named Ambrose per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2021, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ambrose's real moment was 1893.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 344 |
| 1890s | 369 |
| 1900s | 324 |
| 1910s | 1,401 |
| 1920s | 1,556 |
| 1930s | 782 |
| 1940s | 606 |
| 1950s | 494 |
| 1960s | 400 |
| 1970s | 323 |
| 1980s | 360 |
| 1990s | 337 |
| 2000s | 487 |
| 2010s | 1,010 |
| 2020s | 2,075 |
Meaning & origin
Ambrose has long been a name of quiet distinction, rooted in the Greek Ambrosios, meaning "immortal." Its earliest recorded use in U.S. data dates to 1880, and it reached its peak popularity in 1893. After a long decline through the 20th century, the name has been steadily rising in use since 1995, reflecting a broader revival of classical and saintly names. In 2025, it ranked 735th, given to roughly one in every 4,771 baby boys. The name is most strongly favored in North Dakota, New Hampshire, and Kansas, states where traditional and nature-inspired names often hold sway. Ambrose retains a dignified, scholarly aura, and its gentle mellow sound appeals to parents seeking a name with historic weight but no pretension.
Derived from the Greek name Ambrosios, meaning "immortal" or "belonging to the immortals." The Latin form Ambrosius was used by early Christians, notably Saint Ambrose (c. 340-397), a Doctor of the Church and Bishop of Milan. The name has been in occasional use in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages.
Where Ambrose is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Ambrose” around the world
Where Ambrose lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Amby, Ambie, Brose, Ro
Variants: Ambrosius, Ambrogio, Ambrosio
Sibling names for Ambrose
Names that share Ambrose's style, for a brother or sister.
