Find out how popular the first name Amida has been for the last 1 years (from 2014 to 2014) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Amida by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Amida is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2014, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Amida.

The history of the first name Amida

The name Amida is derived from the Sanskrit word "Amitābha," which means "Infinite Light" or "Boundless Light." The name has its origins in Buddhism and is associated with the Amitābha Buddha, a celestial buddha described in the Amitābha Sūtra and other Mahayana Buddhist texts.

The Amitābha Sūtra, a key scripture in Pure Land Buddhism, describes Amitābha as a buddha who dwells in the western pure land of Sukhāvatī. This pure land is said to be a paradise where those who have faith in Amitābha and call upon his name can be reborn after death.

The name Amida gained popularity in East Asian Buddhist cultures, particularly in Japan, where it is transcribed as "Amida Butsu." In Japanese Buddhism, Amida is venerated as the principal buddha in the Pure Land sects, such as Jōdo-shū and Jōdo Shinshū.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Amida can be found in the writings of the Japanese Buddhist monk Genshin (942-1017 CE), who was instrumental in spreading Pure Land Buddhism in Japan. Genshin wrote extensively about the teachings of Amida Buddha and the benefits of reciting his name.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Amida, including:

1. Amida Butsu (c. 563-483 BCE): The historical Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, who is believed to have achieved enlightenment and became known as Amitābha or Amida in the Pure Land traditions.

2. Amida Nyorai (7th century CE): A famous statue of the Amida Buddha carved during the Asuka period in Japan, now housed at the Kyoto National Museum.

3. Amida Unkō (1572-1644 CE): A Japanese Buddhist monk and calligrapher known for his distinctive calligraphic style.

4. Amida Pississ (c. 1440-1515 CE): An Italian painter and illuminator active in Siena during the Renaissance period.

5. Amida Gorovits (1572-1617 CE): A Russian icon painter and monk known for his contributions to the development of the Stroganov School of Russian icon painting.

While the name Amida has its roots in Buddhism, it has also been adopted by some individuals outside of the Buddhist tradition, particularly in Japan and other East Asian countries where the name has a long history and cultural significance.

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

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

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