Etymologically, it is tied to fossilized resin, capturing a sense of timelessness and preservation. Verdict: Amber is a fantastic “Retro Revival” choice for 2025. It is perfect for parents seeking a name that everyone knows and can spell, but that isn’t currently oversaturated in preschool classrooms. It offers a vintage 90s nostalgia that is currently coming back into fashion.
Amber Overview
- Meaning: Amber is associated with the concepts of safety, confidence, and happiness, as well as the characteristics of sunshine and gold.
- Gender: Amber has traditionally been a feminine name.
- Origin: Amber originally comes from both the fossilized tree resin and the color of the same name.
- Pronunciation: Amber is pronounced “am-bur.” The name rhymes with the word “pander.”
- Popularity: Amber is a fairly popular name, currently sitting within the top 600 most popular names for girls in the United States.
- Nicknames: Ambear, Ambee, Amberly, Ambs, Amby, Amer, Ames, Bamber, Bams, Ember, Gem.
- Variations: Ámbar, Amberly, Amberlynn, Ambra, Ambre.
- Namesakes: Amber Benson, Amber Riley, Amber Ruffin.
What Does Amber Mean?
On the surface, Amber is a classic “color name” representing a warm, honey-yellow hue. However, as an onomatologist, I find the deeper meaning to be far more fascinating. The name derives from the gemstone formed by fossilized tree resin. Because this resin often trapped small leaves or insects perfectly for millions of years, the name Amber carries a hidden meaning of “preservation” and “time capsule.”
In ancient Greek, the term for amber was elektron, because rubbing the gemstone created static electricity (which is where we get the word “electricity” today). Therefore, the name also carries a spark of energy and power.
Amber is in the warm color spectrum and is associated with safety, confidence, and happiness. It is often compared to sunshine and gold, as it shares the same hue as both (1).
Where Does the Name Amber Come From?
The etymological journey of Amber is a global one. The English word originates from the Old French ambre, which traces back to the Arabic word anbar. Interestingly, the Arabic term originally referred to “ambergris,” a waxy substance produced by sperm whales used in perfume making.
Over time, the meaning shifted in Europe to refer to the fossilized resin of ancient pine trees, which washed up on the shores of the Baltic Sea and was traded as a precious jewel.
As a given name, Amber is a relatively modern invention compared to Biblical names. It began to appear in the late 19th century but was popularized in English-speaking countries by the publication of the novel Forever Amber in 1944 and its subsequent film adaptation in 1947 (2). It is closely associated with nature and remains a staple in the gemstone name category.
How Popular is the Name Amber?
Amber is the definition of a “shooting star” name that defined a specific generation. While it was virtually unheard of before the 1940s, it exploded in popularity during the latter half of the 20th century.
It skyrocketed in the 1970s and 1980s, becoming one of the defining names of Generation Y. It reached its zenith in 1986, hitting rank #13 in the United States. If you were born in the late 80s, you likely had at least two Ambers in your class.
Since that peak, the name has cooled off significantly. It is no longer a top-tier trendsetter but has settled into a comfortable usage rate. It is not currently “trendy,” which is actually a benefit for parents in 2025 who want a name that is recognizable but not shared by five other children on the playground. It remains within the top 600 (3).
How Do I Pronounce Amber?
The pronunciation is straightforward and consistent across English dialects: AM-bur.
The first syllable is emphasized, and it rhymes with “chamber” or “clamber.”
Is Amber a Boy or Girl Name?
Amber is almost exclusively used as a feminine name. While nature and color names (like River or Blue) are becoming increasingly unisex, Amber has such a strong cultural tie to the “girls of the 90s” that it has not made the crossover to boys in any statistically significant way.
Variations of Amber
While the spelling “Amber” is the standard in the Anglosphere, several beautiful international variations add a bit of continental flair:
- Ámbar: The Spanish form, adding a rhythmic accent.
- Ambre: The French variation, which offers a softer, more sophisticated ending.
- Ambra: The Italian version, which feels more romantic and operatic.
- Amberly / Amberlynn: American elaborations that combine Amber with suffix names for a compound effect.
- Gintarė: (Lithuanian) A fascinating variation; Lithuania is a primary source of amber, and this name means “amber” in their native tongue.
Nicknames for Amber
One of the benefits of a two-syllable name is that it doesn’t require a nickname, but there are plenty of affectionate options available.
Common Nicknames:
- Ambs: The most common casual short form.
- Amby: A sweet, diminutive version.
- Amy: A classic name in its own right (Amy), but works here as a short form.
Creative & Rare Nicknames:
- Berry: A playful twist on the second syllable.
- Goldie: A vintage nickname referencing the color of the stone.
- Gem: A nod to the name’s category as a gemstone.
- Ace: A spunky option derived from the initial A.
Names Similar to Amber
If you love the vibe of Amber but want something slightly different, consider these alternatives that share its warmth, nature connection, or phonetic style.
- Hazel: Like Amber, this is a nature/color name that has a vintage feel but has seen a massive modern resurgence.
- Jade: Another short, punchy gemstone name that was also popular in the 90s but feels timeless.
- Ruby: A gemstone name with a bit more vintage “sass” and fire.
- Sienna: An Italian earth-tone name that shares the warm, orange-red palette of Amber.
- Autumn: Shares the initial “A” and the golden, warm imagery of the fall season.
- April: A calendar name that feels light, fresh, and structurally similar to Amber.
- Violet: A floral/color name that offers a cooler tone counterpart to Amber’s warmth.
- Olive: An earthy, peace-oriented name that appeals to the same nature-loving parents.
Middle Names for Amber
Amber is a trochaic name (stressed-unstressed), which makes it versatile. It pairs best with single-syllable middles for a snappy sound, or longer, flowing names for elegance.
Classic & Elegant
Nature-Inspired & Boheme
Modern & Spunky
Sibling Names for Amber
Building a sibset around Amber usually involves choosing names that were popular in the same era (the 90s/00s) or matching the gemstone/nature theme.
For a Brother
- Ryan: A perfect stylistic match. Both names are short, approachable, and defined a generation.
- Jasper: A direct thematic match; Jasper is a type of quartz often found in red or brown, complementing Amber perfectly.
- Caleb: A soft but masculine biblical name that sounds gentle next to Amber.
- Austin: Shares the “A” initial and the western/rugged vibe that Amber can sometimes carry.
- Hunter: leans into the nature aspect while remaining a common, established name.
For a Sister
- Ashley: The ultimate 90s sister pair. They sound like best friends immediately.
- Coral: A rare ocean-gem name that matches Amber’s “organic material” theme without rhyming.
- Holly: A botanical name that feels festive and bright, just like Amber.
- Crystal: If you want to lean fully into the sparkle/gemstone theme.
- Brooke: Sophisticated, one-syllable nature name that balances the two syllables of Amber.
Famous People Named Amber
- Amber Valletta: An iconic American supermodel and actress who defined 90s fashion.
- Amber Heard: American actress known for her role as Mera in the DC Universe films.
- Amber Riley: A powerhouse vocalist and actress best known for playing Mercedes Jones on Glee.
- Amber Ruffin: A celebrated comedian and late-night talk show host known for her wit.
- Amber Tamblyn: American actress and poet, known for The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
- Amber Rose: A well-known model and television personality.
Amber in Pop Culture
- Amber Mariens: The iconic character from the film Clueless, famous for the line “My plastic surgeon doesn’t want me doing any activity where balls fly at my nose.”
- Amber St. Clare: The protagonist of the historical romance Forever Amber, which originally popularized the name.
- Amber: The Outrider Knight from the massive hit video game Genshin Impact.
- Amber Moore: The lead character in the popular Netflix holiday movie A Christmas Prince.
- Amber Volakis: Known as “Cutthroat B*tch,” a memorable doctor on the series House M.D.
FAQs About the Name Amber
Is Amber an Old Name?
What Is the Personality of the Name Amber?
People named Amber are known to be persuasive, charming, and expressive. They are also joyful and have an outgoing nature.
What Is Another Word for Amber?
Several other words can describe the yellow-orange color of amber. Some examples are gold, sunshine, saffron, and blonde.
Is Amber considered a gemstone name?
Yes, Amber is classified as a gemstone name, joining the ranks of Ruby, Pearl, and Jade. However, scientifically speaking, amber is not a mineral or stone; it is fossilized organic plant resin (sap) that has hardened over millions of years. This makes it unique among other jewelry names.
What is the spiritual meaning of Amber?
In spiritual circles, amber is often called the “Sunshine Stone.” It is believed to turn negative energy into positive energy, promote healing, and clear the mind. Because it preserves ancient life (fossils) inside it, it is also associated with longevity and memory.
Is the name Amber outdated?
While Amber is not as trendy today as it was in the 1980s and 1990s, it is not considered “dated” in a negative way. Instead, it is viewed as a modern classic or a “mom name” (since many young mothers today are named Amber). It is currently seeing a “retro” appeal similar to names like Heather or Jessica.
How do you spell Amber in French?
The French spelling of the name is Ambre. It is pronounced slightly differently, with a softer “ahm-bruh” sound. In France, Ambre has been incredibly popular in recent years, often ranking in the top 10 names for girls, unlike in the US where the traditional spelling is more common.
Can Amber be a boy’s name?
Historically, Amber was occasionally used as a surname, which applied to families of any gender. However, as a first name, it is overwhelmingly female. There are very few recorded instances of boys being named Amber in the last century, making it a distinctly feminine choice in modern culture.
