Ames
A diminutive of the female given name Amy.
Every Ames since 1913 — 1,865 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Ames
Ames is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #1,754 in 2025 with 92 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1913, 1,865 American babies have been named Ames. Its peak came in 2023, when 93 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 Ames stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Ames 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 | — | — | 92 | #1,754 |
| 2024 | — | — | 76 | #2,013 |
| 2023 | — | — | 93 | #1,755 |
| 2022 | 5 | #15,466 | 71 | #2,098 |
| 2021 | — | — | 89 | #1,785 |
| 2020 | — | — | 92 | #1,695 |
| 2019 | — | — | 69 | #2,081 |
| 2018 | — | — | 70 | #2,048 |
| 2017 | — | — | 69 | #2,033 |
| 2016 | 5 | #16,424 | 87 | #1,763 |
| 2015 | — | — | 51 | #2,459 |
| 2014 | — | — | 42 | #2,806 |
| 2013 | — | — | 38 | #2,956 |
| 2012 | — | — | 56 | #2,295 |
| 2011 | — | — | 31 | #3,437 |
| 2010 | — | — | 13 | #6,367 |
| 2009 | — | — | 9 | #8,336 |
| 2008 | — | — | 15 | #5,778 |
| 2007 | — | — | 6 | #10,999 |
| 2006 | — | — | 6 | #10,748 |
| 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | 7 | #8,968 |
| 2003 | — | — | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — | 11 | #5,938 |
| 1995 | — | — | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — | 6 | #7,214 |
| 1985 | — | — | 12 | #3,611 |
| 1980 | — | — | 16 | #2,834 |
| 1975 | — | — | 14 | #2,755 |
| 1970 | — | — | 14 | #2,511 |
| 1965 | — | — | 8 | #2,990 |
| 1960 | — | — | 8 | #3,086 |
| 1955 | — | — | 9 | #2,772 |
| 1950 | — | — | 6 | #3,335 |
| 1945 | — | — | 5 | #3,347 |
| 1940 | — | — | 11 | #2,186 |
| 1935 | — | — | 9 | #2,537 |
| 1930 | — | — | 12 | #2,298 |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | 8 | #3,220 |
| 1915 | — | — | 9 | #2,633 |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ames mean?
A diminutive of the female given name Amy.
How popular is the name Ames in 2025?
Ames ranked #1,754 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 92 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Ames?
1,865 babies have been named Ames in the United States since 1913, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Ames most popular?
Ames peaked in 2023, when 93 newborns received the name.
Is Ames a boy or girl name?
Ames is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Ames rising or falling?
Ames is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.