Find out how popular the first name Amen has been for the last 49 years (from 1975 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Amen by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Amen is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 58% of people named Amen being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 75 male babies and 56 female babies born with the name Amen.

The history of the first name Amen

The name Amen has its origins in ancient Egyptian language and culture, dating back to the third millennium BC. It is derived from the Egyptian word "Amun" or "Amon," which was the name of an important deity in the ancient Egyptian pantheon. Amun was considered the king of the gods and the god of the sun, air, and fertility.

The name Amen gained wider recognition and usage in religious contexts after it was adopted by the Hebrews and incorporated into the Bible. In Hebrew, the word "Amen" means "truth" or "so be it," and it is often used at the end of prayers or statements to affirm their truthfulness or to express agreement.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Amen in a historical context can be found in the Book of Jeremiah in the Old Testament, where the prophet Jeremiah mentions a man named Amen who was the son of Shaphan and a high-ranking official in the court of King Josiah of Judah (around 640-609 BC).

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Amen. One of the earliest was Amenhotep III, an Egyptian pharaoh who ruled from approximately 1388 to 1350 BC and was known for his prolific building projects, including the construction of the famous Colossi of Memnon statues.

Another significant figure was Amenemhat I, the founder of the 12th Dynasty in ancient Egypt, who ruled from around 1991 to 1962 BC and is credited with initiating a period of stability and prosperity in the kingdom.

In the Christian tradition, St. Amen was a 4th-century Egyptian monk and hermit who lived in the Nitrian Desert. He is celebrated as a saint in the Coptic Orthodox Church.

In the Islamic world, Amen ibn Hunayn was a renowned 9th-century scholar and physician who made significant contributions to the fields of medicine and philosophy. He lived from around 808 to 873 AD and served as a court physician to several Abbasid caliphs.

Finally, in more modern times, Amen-Ra Masry was an Egyptian actor and comedian who lived from 1905 to 1982 and gained popularity for his satirical performances and social commentary during the mid-20th century.

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 Amen was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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