Find out how popular the first name Amara has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Amara by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Amara is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 99% of people named Amara being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 2,273 female babies and 17 male babies born with the name Amara.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 17 baby boys were named Amara in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Amara

The name Amara has its origins in the Sanskrit language, which is an ancient Indo-Aryan language from the Indian subcontinent. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "amara," which means "immortal" or "eternal." It is believed to have been in use since ancient times in India, possibly as early as the 5th century BCE.

In Hindu mythology, Amara is one of the names of the god Vishnu, who is considered the preserver and protector of the universe. The name is also associated with the concept of immortality and the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Amara can be found in the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata, which dates back to around the 8th century BCE. In the epic, Amara is mentioned as the name of a sage or rishi.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Amara. One of the most famous was Amara Sinha, a renowned Sanskrit scholar and poet who lived in the 7th century CE. He is best known for his work, the Amarakosha, which is a Sanskrit thesaurus and one of the oldest dictionaries in the world.

Another notable figure with the name Amara was Amara Devi, a 16th-century Indian queen and warrior who ruled the Gond kingdom in central India. She is celebrated for her bravery and military prowess in defending her kingdom against invaders.

In the realm of literature, Amara Lingam was a prominent Tamil writer and poet from the 20th century. He was known for his works that explored social and political themes, and he received several literary awards during his lifetime.

Amara Essy was an Egyptian feminist and writer who lived in the early 20th century. She was a pioneering figure in the women's rights movement in Egypt and wrote extensively on issues such as women's education and empowerment.

Amara Lakhous is an Algerian-Italian writer and academic who has published several novels and works of non-fiction. His works often explore themes of cultural identity, migration, and the immigrant experience.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Amara was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Amara, please contact us.

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