Ambrose
Boy name · #735 in 2025 · Rare
How old is the name Ambrose? In official American birth records, Ambrose has been tracked continuously since 1880, giving it 145 years of documented American history.
In 2025, 358 baby boys were named Ambrose, placing it at #735 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #1588, so the name has been rising over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 5,028 boys born in 2025 was named Ambrose.
The 145-year story
Ambrose first appears in the Social Security records in 1880, when 32 boys received the name. Its peak came in 2021, when 402 boys were named Ambrose — good for #672 that year. Today's parents encounter it on its way down the popularity curve, which for many parents is exactly the appeal. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Babies named Ambrose per year. Source: Official national birth records.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Ambrose against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Ambrose in class?
On our rarity read — which blends how common Ambrose is today with its five-year momentum — the name reads as "rare". A high score means genuine rarity — your Ambrose will likely be the only one in the room, with the occasional spelling-out as the price.
Where Ambrose is most common
Geography matters for names, and Ambrose is no exception. Adjusted for how many boys are born in each state, Ambrose is most common in KS (0.7 per 1,000), MN (0.5 per 1,000), WI (0.5 per 1,000), IN (0.4 per 1,000), AZ (0.4 per 1,000) — against a national average of about 0.2 per 1,000 boys. These are per-capita rates, so they show where Ambrose is a genuine regional favorite rather than just where the most babies are born.
Names like Ambrose
Statistically, parents drawn to Ambrose tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Augustine, Alessio, Ander, Anakin, and Azrael.
AugustineAlessioAnderAnakinAzraelAgastyaAsaiahAurelio
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Ambrose | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 358 | #735 |
| 2024 | 349 | #739 |
| 2023 | 320 | #788 |
| 2022 | 365 | #721 |
| 2021 | 402 | #672 |
| 2020 | 281 | #818 |
| 2019 | 222 | #961 |
| 2018 | 118 | #1465 |
| 2017 | 97 | #1630 |
| 2016 | 97 | #1641 |
| 2015 | 101 | #1588 |
| 2014 | 89 | #1701 |
| 2013 | 95 | #1613 |
| 2012 | 75 | #1909 |
| 2011 | 56 | #2284 |
| 2010 | 60 | #2187 |
| 2009 | 53 | #2401 |
| 2008 | 67 | #2062 |
| 2007 | 59 | #2235 |
| 2006 | 59 | #2176 |
| 2005 | 50 | #2325 |
| 2004 | 49 | #2316 |
| 2003 | 42 | #2470 |
| 2002 | 42 | #2403 |
| 2001 | 25 | #3410 |
Frequently asked questions
How old is the name Ambrose?
In official American birth records, the name Ambrose first appeared in 1880 (over 145 years ago), when 32 newborn boys received the name. It has over a century of continuous American history.
Is Ambrose a popular boy name?
Ambrose ranked #735 among boys in 2025 with 358 babies given the name — outside the top 500, making it an uncommon pick. Ten years earlier it ranked #1588.
When was the name Ambrose most popular?
Ambrose peaked in 2021, when 402 American boys received the name (ranked #672 that year). Since 2021 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Ambrose?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 5,028 newborn American boys was named Ambrose. On our rarity scale (rarity blended with momentum) we classify it as "rare".
Data source: Official American birth records, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect registered birth records for American families.