How to say it
AM · ber
ˈæm.bər
Feminine
Amber
Amber, fossilized resin
What it means
From the gem amber, fossilized tree resin, by way of the Arabic anbar.
Amber names the warm golden-orange gem, which is fossilized tree resin, a word that traveled from the Arabic anbar through Old French. It joined the jewel-name family with Ruby and Pearl and became a huge hit in the 1980s and 90s. Warm and glowing. Said AM-bur.
How to spell Amber
The standard spelling is Amber. Common variants include Ambar, Ambre, Amberly, but Amber is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #13 in 1986, currently #520 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed August 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
A gemstone name, big in the 1980s and 90s.
Who's worn it
- Amber Heard American actress known for the Aquaman films
- Amber Riley American actress and singer known for Glee
Spelling variants
- Ambar
- Ambre
- Amberly
Names with the same feeling
See Amber from another angle
By meaning
Common questions
- What does the name Amber mean?
- From the gem amber, fossilized tree resin, by way of the Arabic anbar.
- What does Amber mean in English?
- In English, Amber means "Amber, fossilized resin." Amber names the warm golden-orange gem, which is fossilized tree resin, a word that traveled from the Arabic anbar through Old French. It joined the jewel-name family with Ruby and Pearl and became a huge hit in the 1980s and 90s. Warm and glowing. Said AM-bur.
- How do you pronounce Amber?
- Amber is pronounced ˈæm.bər. Say it as AM-ber, with the stress on the "am" syllable.
- How do you spell Amber?
- The standard spelling is Amber. Common spelling variants include Ambar, Ambre, Amberly.
- Is Amber a boy or girl name?
- Amber is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Amber?
- Amber ranked #520 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.