Declining since 1985, #257 for girls today.
Popularity of Amy since 1880
Babies named Amy per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 2,127 |
| 1890s | 3,042 |
| 1900s | 2,576 |
| 1910s | 4,824 |
| 1920s | 5,264 |
| 1930s | 3,402 |
| 1940s | 5,328 |
| 1950s | 30,583 |
| 1960s | 116,775 |
| 1970s | 268,994 |
| 1980s | 150,662 |
| 1990s | 51,167 |
| 2000s | 28,760 |
| 2010s | 19,765 |
| 2020s | 8,362 |
Meaning & origin
Amy is a feminine given name whose long use in the English-speaking world has made it a familiar classic. According to the latest Social Security data, Amy ranks 257th in the United States for 2025, a notable decline from its peak popularity in 1975 when it held the 2nd spot. The name is currently given to about 1 in every 1,339 baby girls. Its trajectory has been falling since 1985, after a strong run through the mid-20th century. The 1970s marked the name's peak decade, with no subsequent revival. Amy is most popular in Maryland, Nevada, and Nebraska. The first recorded use in the United States dates back to 1880, the earliest year for which data is available.
Amy originates from the Old French name Amee, which means 'beloved' and derives from the Latin verb amare, meaning 'to love'. It was introduced to England by the Normans and used in the Middle Ages, though it later declined. The spelling Amy became standard in the 18th century. Its use in the United States grew steadily from the late 19th century, peaking in the 1970s.
Where Amy is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Amy” around the world
Where Amy lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
155
babies in 2024
Ireland
33
babies in 2025
Quebec
19
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Amy
Names that share Amy's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Emma, Sarah, Laura, Rachel, Megan, Becky, Beth, Carrie, Christie, Julie, Kristin, Laurie, Lisa, Melissa, Shelley, Stephanie, Jami, Lauri, Marcy, Meg, Becki, Leesa, Kriste, Lysa, Stacye, Jeny, Jany
Brothers: James, David, Brian, Jason, Kevin, Chad, Chris, Dave, Greg, Jeff, Rick, Ted, Tim, Gregg, Ken, Jen, Tonny, Maikel, Mitchael, Jimy, Tery
Names like Amy
Names whose popularity has moved with Amy's over the last 50 years.
