We’ll admit that Ambrose is a bit of a stretch for a modern boy. Without an obvious nickname, and with the decidedly feminine “rose” sound, this name projects the image of a scholarly, tweed-clad gentleman of advanced years.
Still, with old-school charmers like Silas and Milo back in use, maybe Ambrose’s revival isn’t the most outlandish impossibility. Our thanks to Elisabeth for suggesting today’s Name of the Day.
The most famous Ambrose, by far, was a lawyer by training who became embroiled in a fourth century theological debate. It was a moment when such concerns were not mere academic matters, but popular debates to rival today’s talk of global warming. For his troubles, Ambrose was eventually named Bishop of Milan, and his writings would earn him the title doctor of the church. Today, he’s the patron saint not only of Milan, but also of education and beekeepers – not a bad circuit, if an eclectic one.
Another Ambrose may be familiar to many readers – Ambrose Bierce, author of The Devil’s Dictionary. He’s responsible for such cutting definitions as: Advice, n. The smallest current coin.
If the first seems too saintly a namesake, perhaps the second Ambrose will inspire.
Today, the name is virtually out of use in the US, having last charted in the Top 1000 in 1954. In fact, it hasn’t been in the Top 300 since 1901.
Depending on your perspective, Ambrose is either ripe for revival or best left to the history books. We’d like to suggest a third alternative – Ambrose is a distinctive middle name for parents seeking to honor a loved one called Rose.
And yet, it is the kind of name that might have hidden appeal – the “br” sound is so in vogue with lovers of modern names like Braydon and Brianna; the “o” is simply fashion-forward; and the soft “s” ending meshes well with Miles and other everything-old-is-new-again names.
So if you’re the thinking type with a sense of adventure, Ambrose might just make your short list as a well-known, but seldom used choice.
His brother will be Alistair.
Ambrose to honor loved ones named Rose? Please tell me I didn’t read that.
I think with Ambrose could hang with Jasper, Milo, Oscar and Everett just fine. If your neighbors are Brody and Jaden and Cade, I’d probably hold back. Still, it is a bit flowery, and as he is Patron Saint of Milan, I think it would make a great name for a fashion designer!
Broz is sometimes used as a nickname for Ambrose, but I don’t know if that’s pronounced like Broze or Brahs or Braws… Braws is not good.
~Elisabeth
http://www.youcantcallitit.com
Call it Keeping Up With the Smiths – Will and Jada, that is.
I think one of the most appalling trends is parents smushing together their names to create a new name for their kiddo. And so Amanda and Hector bestow a Frankenstein’s monster of a name like Hamand on their son or Toranda on their daughter.
On the other hand, twisting one parent’s or grandparent’s name to get a vaguely related baby name seems subtle and appealing. Years ago, a cousin was dead set on naming her daughter Rose after a beloved grandmother. But when she was a he, he became Ross. And I love Jaden and Willow for the Smith offspring.
The names are unrelated in history or derivation, but the intent is clear.
Ambrose is a stretch, I’ll admit. But my family’s tradition is quite liberal when it comes to using family names. Some patriarchs won’t feel honored unless Bobby Joe is passed out exactly as is – Robert or Joseph will just not do!
But hey, if you’re willing to consider naming your child Ambrose, you’re probably willing to go out on a limb.
Hey! I missed this one originally but was poking around, as usual and saw him. he’s Simon’s first middle (second middle is Grandma Honey’s maiden name). I wish I’d been braver back then and either used Simeon (as I had origianlly intended) or put Ambrose up front, since he honors (one of) Grandma’s brothers, this one died in Vietnam (I think, might be Cambodia). Back to the point. Ambrose is awesome. Warm, cheerful, friendly and strong. I like that he doesn’t nickname easily!
And for Elisabeth, Broz is probably brose, to rhyme with rose, since that’s the latter half of the name Am-brose. And in my case, Ambrose’s “brother” is Sebastian!
what about bruce as a nn for ambrose?
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I know twins Ambrose and Elle, when I first heard the names I wasn’t sure but now I love it. Ambrose’s Uncle Brandon is nicknamed by his family Bo, the nickname has now passed on to Ambrose.
Bo for Ambrose? Love it! Ambrose and Elle is unexpected, but it really works, doesn’t it?
It really is perfect and they are the cutest twins! If I remember right there is a ship in NYC named Ambrose, their parents got engaged there.