A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Amos since 1880
Babies named Amos per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1922, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Amos's real moment was 1884.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 1,161 |
| 1890s | 1,023 |
| 1900s | 1,062 |
| 1910s | 3,674 |
| 1920s | 4,891 |
| 1930s | 3,343 |
| 1940s | 2,767 |
| 1950s | 2,810 |
| 1960s | 2,086 |
| 1970s | 2,155 |
| 1980s | 2,321 |
| 1990s | 1,749 |
| 2000s | 1,788 |
| 2010s | 3,243 |
| 2020s | 2,463 |
Meaning & origin
Amos is a biblical name with ancient roots and enduring, if modest, appeal. First recorded in the US Social Security data in 1880, it reached its peak popularity in 1884. After a long decline, it has been rising again since 1997, reflecting a broader revival of vintage biblical names. In recent years, it has been most common in Montana, Missouri, and Pennsylvania. With a current 1-in-4693 birth rate, Amos remains a distinctive choice that carries historical weight without being overused.
Amos derives from the Hebrew name Amos (עָמוֹס), meaning 'to carry, borne.' It is the name of a minor prophet in the Hebrew Bible, the author of the Book of Amos, who prophesied during the 8th century BCE. The name has been used among Puritans in England and later in colonial America, contributing to its persistence in the United States.
Where Amos 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.
“Amos” around the world
Where Amos lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
30
babies in 2024
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Sibling names for Amos
Names that share Amos's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Hannah, Ruth, Naomi, Esther, Leah, Dorcas, Jerusha, Temperance, Mahalia, Tirzah, Ahava, Aquilla, Athalia, Electa, Permelia, Saloma, Yer, Almena, Alphia, Briony, Hallelujah, Mahalie, Gali, Milcah, Adoree, Alzina, Amisadai, Charidy, Hephzibah, Lemma, Naamah, Orah, Statia, Tryphena
Brothers: Jonah, Ezra, Micah, Caleb, Noah, Abdiel, Ezekiel, Finis, Leander, Thaddeus, Titus, Barnett, Ozias, Alpheus, Hubbard, Joah, Orris, Parley, Zedekiah, Alanson, Asahel, Asberry, Erastus, Etai, Firman, Hezzie, Jasher, Nissim, Osher, Theophil, Jeptha, Shammah, Theoplis
Names like Amos
Names whose popularity has moved with Amos's over the last 50 years.
