Ember first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Ember has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Ember

Derived from the English word "ember" referring to small, glowing fragments of coal or wood.

Popularity of Ember by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Ember is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 98% of people named Ember being female.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 2,172 female babies and 38 male babies born with the name Ember.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 38 baby boys were named Ember in 2024, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

YearMale CountFemale Count
2024382,172
2023401,696
2022361,819
2021571,770
2020331,535
2019271,537
2018241,471
2017261,120
2016231,020
201517902
201410739
20139522
201214508
20119424
201012326
20090311
20080201
20070224
20066176
20056160
20040143
20030127
2002098
2001090
2000068
1999080
1998083
1997074
1996069
1995055
1994060
1993052
1992048
1991048
1990060
1989060
1988090
1987041
1986031
1985029
1984049
1983040
1982042
1981046
1980035
1979050
1978048
1977035
1976036
1975030

The history of the first name Ember

The name Ember has its origins in the English language and is derived from the Old English word "æmyrian," meaning "to burn in ashes." This connection to fire and burning embers gives the name a unique and evocative meaning.

In Old English literature, the word "æmyrian" was used to describe the burning of materials, such as wood or coal, until they were reduced to glowing embers. The name Ember likely emerged as a way to capture this vivid imagery and associate it with a person.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Ember can be found in the 16th century. Ember Halliday was a prominent English merchant who lived in London during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He was known for his successful trading ventures and philanthropic contributions to the city.

In the 17th century, Ember Wilkins was a notable English botanist and naturalist. She wrote extensively on the flora and fauna of the English countryside and is credited with discovering several new plant species.

During the 18th century, Ember Nightingale was a celebrated English opera singer who performed at the Theatre Royal in London. Her powerful voice and captivating stage presence earned her widespread acclaim and admiration from audiences across Europe.

In the 19th century, Ember Browning was a renowned English poet and author. Her works often explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition. She is considered one of the most influential poets of the Victorian era.

Another notable figure with the name Ember was Ember Radcliffe, an English suffragette who fought tirelessly for women's right to vote in the early 20th century. She was a powerful orator and activist, and her efforts contributed to the eventual passage of the Representation of the People Act in 1918.

While the name Ember has its roots in Old English, it has gained popularity in recent years as a unique and meaningful choice for baby names. Its connection to fire and burning embers gives it a sense of strength, passion, and warmth, making it an attractive option for parents seeking a distinctive and evocative name for their child.

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

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

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If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

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