The baby name Ames is friendly, approachable, and not too common – yet.
Thanks to Willow for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
WHAT DOES THE NAME AMES MEAN?
Ames sounds like the masculine equivalent of former favorite Amy.
They’re probably cousins, rather than twins. Ames likely has an Old French origin: Amys. Or possibly Middle English. Amice is also seen. Both likely come from the Latin word amicus – friend. Amy is usually linked to amatus – beloved.
But both words trace back to the verb amare – to love, ultimately from amor – love.
It’s a thoroughly upbeat, generous, and warm meaning.
AMES ON THE MAP
Ames is more common as a surname than a baby boy name over the years.
It also appears on the map in France, Spain, and all over the United States.
There’s even a mountain range in Antarctica called the Ames Range. It was named by explorer Richard E. Byrd for his father-in-law, Joseph Ames.
Richard’s wife belonged to the distinguished Ames family. William was born in England, but settled in the Province of Massachusetts Bay in the seventeenth century. William’s son John was born in Braintree, and went on to lend their family name to many a place in the new nation.
In this case, however, the last name Ames might’ve started out Amyas. It’s possible Amyas is just another cousin in the extended family of names derived from amare. But it might also come from Amiens, the city in France.
The French place name came from the Ambiani tribe. Roman invaders named the area Ambianum. The tribe’s name likely means “those around,” referring to the people living between the banks of the Somme River. By the early Middle Ages, it was smoothed to Amiens.
But when we hear Ames, Americans almost always think of Ames, Iowa. Founded in 1864 as a railroad stop, it was named for Congressman Oakes Ames, part of that Massachusetts family. He was influential in establishing the transcontinental railroad.
AMES and AMOS and EAMES and AIMS
Despite looking similar, the Old Testament name Amos has a completely different root: a Hebrew word meaning load or burden. Despite this separate meaning, Ames is sometimes considered a variant of Amos.
Also noteworthy: while Amos is always two-syllables, Ames is just one: aymz.
Similar-sounding names also include Eames, but it likely traces its roots to a Middle English word meaning uncle.
There’s also the word aim. It’s a verb – we take aim. But it’s also a noun, a synonym for a goal. Once again, it’s a mix of Latin, French, and English origins.
It’s that last one that lends the baby name Ames a little bit of a virtue vibe. To aim and hit your target takes skill. And if your aims are particularly worthy and your aim is true? That’s what transforms Ames into a meaning-rich choice, sort of like Abel and able. It shifts the meaning of Ames to suggest achievement and a certain fearlessness, too – like Archer or even Arrow.
HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME AMES?
When it comes to popularity, Ames is both nicely familiar and surprisingly rare.
In 1913, the name debuted in the US Social Security Administration data. And like many surnames, it’s used in small but steady numbers over many decades.
In recent years, the baby name Ames has started to rise. Why?
- It sounds like a name. After all, James is evergreen.
- We’re wild about boy names ending with -S, from Brooks and Atticus to Wells and Rhodes.
- The meaning of the name Ames is appealing, and many parents today are looking for something with a clear, positive message.
In the year 2023, 93 boys received the names Ames. That marks a new high.
And yet, this name remains relatively uncommon. It has never registered in the US Top 1000 popular names list.
IS AMES A UNISEX NAME?
Any very popular surname eventually makes it way to the first spot. And while it’s most often used as a boy’s name, family names tend to be gender neutral – at least some of the time.
Fewer than five girls were named Ames in 2023, though five received the name in 2022. And just like Jamie called James and Julia called Jules, surely some girls named Amy/Amelia/Amanda and similar have answered to the nickname Ames over the years.
HANDSOME and FRIENDLY
Overall, the baby name Ames has all the hallmarks of a potential hit.
An appealing meaning is a plus. It shares sounds with favorites like Hayes. And it’s an update to classic James, too.
If you’re looking for something polished, upbeat, and a little bit surprising? Ames could be the perfect name for you.
My grandfather was born in Ames, Iowa. I had never thought of this as a name…but I kind of like it!