Ambrose
From Latin saints' name Ambrosius, from Ancient Greek ἀμβρόσιος (ambrósios, “immortal, divine”).
Every Ambrose since 1880 — 10,911 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Ambrose
Ambrose is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #735 in 2025 with 358 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 10,911 American babies have been named Ambrose. Its peak came in 2021, when 411 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Ambrose stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Ambrose year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | #15,084 | 358 | #735 |
| 2024 | 7 | #12,246 | 349 | #739 |
| 2023 | 11 | #9,026 | 320 | #788 |
| 2022 | 5 | #15,459 | 365 | #721 |
| 2021 | 9 | #10,347 | 402 | #672 |
| 2020 | — | — | 281 | #818 |
| 2019 | 6 | #13,937 | 222 | #961 |
| 2018 | — | — | 118 | #1,465 |
| 2017 | — | — | 97 | #1,630 |
| 2016 | — | — | 97 | #1,641 |
| 2015 | — | — | 101 | #1,588 |
| 2014 | — | — | 89 | #1,701 |
| 2013 | — | — | 95 | #1,613 |
| 2012 | — | — | 75 | #1,909 |
| 2011 | — | — | 56 | #2,284 |
| 2010 | — | — | 60 | #2,188 |
| 2009 | — | — | 53 | #2,402 |
| 2008 | — | — | 67 | #2,062 |
| 2007 | — | — | 59 | #2,236 |
| 2006 | — | — | 59 | #2,178 |
| 2005 | — | — | 50 | #2,328 |
| 2004 | — | — | 49 | #2,316 |
| 2003 | — | — | 42 | #2,474 |
| 2002 | — | — | 42 | #2,404 |
| 2001 | — | — | 25 | #3,416 |
| 2000 | — | — | 41 | #2,331 |
| 1995 | — | — | 30 | #2,506 |
| 1990 | — | — | 41 | #1,870 |
| 1985 | — | — | 40 | #1,594 |
| 1980 | — | — | 36 | #1,621 |
| 1975 | — | — | 44 | #1,304 |
| 1970 | — | — | 28 | #1,616 |
| 1965 | — | — | 43 | #1,144 |
| 1960 | — | — | 51 | #1,083 |
| 1955 | — | — | 49 | #1,075 |
| 1950 | — | — | 37 | #1,182 |
| 1945 | — | — | 46 | #954 |
| 1940 | — | — | 64 | #770 |
| 1935 | — | — | 80 | #663 |
| 1930 | — | — | 104 | #591 |
| 1925 | — | — | 165 | #467 |
| 1920 | — | — | 209 | #406 |
| 1915 | — | — | 187 | #394 |
| 1910 | — | — | 48 | #370 |
| 1905 | — | — | 24 | #452 |
| 1900 | — | — | 47 | #305 |
| 1895 | — | — | 38 | #289 |
| 1890 | — | — | 37 | #283 |
| 1885 | — | — | 32 | #299 |
| 1880 | — | — | 32 | #291 |
Famous people named Ambrose
- Ambrose Religious figure · 340–397
- Ambrose Bierce Writer · 1842–1914
- Ambrose Traversari Religious figure · 1386–1439
- Ambrose Burnside Politician · 1824–1881
- Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini Politician · b. 1968
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ambrose mean?
From Latin saints' name Ambrosius, from Ancient Greek ἀμβρόσιος (ambrósios, “immortal, divine”).
How popular is the name Ambrose in 2025?
Ambrose ranked #735 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 358 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Ambrose?
10,911 babies have been named Ambrose in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Ambrose most popular?
Ambrose peaked in 2021, when 411 newborns received the name.
Is Ambrose a boy or girl name?
Ambrose is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Ambrose rising or falling?
Ambrose is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Ambrose?
Well-known people named Ambrose include Ambrose (religious figure), Ambrose Bierce (writer), Ambrose Traversari (religious figure).