Rising since 2002, #1,753 for boys today.
Popularity of Ames since 1913
Babies named Ames per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 54 |
| 1920s | 72 |
| 1930s | 80 |
| 1940s | 62 |
| 1950s | 102 |
| 1960s | 98 |
| 1970s | 110 |
| 1980s | 173 |
| 1990s | 11 |
| 2000s | 54 |
| 2010s | 526 |
| 2020s | 513 |
Meaning & origin
Ames is a concise, surname-inspired given name that has been quietly rising in use for American boys. First recorded in U.S. Social Security data in 1913, it spent most of the 20th century as an extremely rare choice. Since 2002, however, its trajectory has been steadily climbing, and in 2025 it ranked 1753rd, with roughly 1 in 18,566 newborn boys receiving the name. Its peak year so far is 2023, suggesting a new generation of parents is drawn to its clean, modern sound. The name is most popular in Minnesota, Illinois, and New York, states that often favor stylish yet simple surname names. Ames carries an air of understated sophistication, fitting alongside other one-syllable surname names like Brooks and Wells. Its etymology, while debated, may connect it to the Latin word for 'friend,' giving it a subtle but warm connotation.
Ames is a modern given name adapted from the English surname Ames. The surname has multiple origins: it may derive from the Old French personal name Amis (from Latin amicus, 'friend'), or it could be a variant of the name Eames, which itself comes from the Old English word for 'uncle' (eam). As a first name, Ames has gained traction in the United States in recent years, particularly since the early 2000s.
Where Ames is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Sibling names for Ames
Names that share Ames's style, for a brother or sister.
