The baby name Amoret could substitute for favorites like Scarlett and Juliet that are so popular for baby girls now.
Thanks to Heather for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
WHAT DOES THE NAME AMORET MEAN?
Amoret comes from the Latin amor – to love – plus the ending -et.
You might find the meaning listed as “little loved one.”
That suggests that children were once named Amor. As with Anne or Julia, adding an ette created a diminutive form. Annette, Juliet, Amorette.
But Amor was never a typical given name. Instead, Amoret is more like Scarlett or Bridget. It’s a name ending in -et, but it’s always stood on its own.
So where did this rare name originate?
AMORET IN THE FAERIE QUEENE
File Amoret with Belphoebe and Clarinda.
Edmund Spenser invented dozens of character names for The Faerie Queene, a late sixteenth-century epic poem.
Amoret is the sister of Belphoebe. In fact, they’re twins, but don’t have much in common.
Belphoebe is referred to as a maiden or virgin, raised by the goddess Artemis and taught to hunt. Because she’s unmarried, Belphoebe freely sets off on quests and adventures.
Her sister Amoret is about to marry. She was raised by Venus, expected to find love and affection. A villain kidnaps her before her wedding night to Sir Scudamour. A female knight called Britomart rescues her and reunites the happy couple.
Spenser clearly intended the name to signify married love and chastity. Some suggest that it came from the Italian amoretto, used for the god of love, Cupid, in works of art from the Italian word for love, amore.
MORE USES OF AMORET
Edmund Spenser wasn’t the only one to use Amoret in his era. In the early 1600s, Sir John Fletcher was an incredibly popular playwright – sometimes called Shakespeare’s successor. He penned The Faithful Shepherdess around 1608. Clorin is the main character, and Amoret is her fellow sheperdhess. When a meddlesome rival intereferes in Amoret’s romance with her beloved Perigot, Clorin intervenes and ensures that the couple live happily ever after.
More recently Jenny Nimmo’s series, The Children of the Red King, used the name. We learn that Charlie Bone, the main character, is descended from Amoret, daughter of the Red King. Charlie’s adventures slowly reveal the backstory of the Red King dynasty. The first book was published in 2002, and the most recent in 2018.
Amazon optioned the Charlie Bone stories, so it’s possible a new audience will find them should the adaptation hit the screen.
There’s also a tiny town in Missouri called Amoret. Historical records explain the name comes from the Biblical Amorites, inhabitants of Canaan. Except the Old Testament descriptions of the tribe are deeply unflattering, and the spelling isn’t quite right. Still, that’s the story.
HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME AMORET?
Plenty of women appear in the US Census records with the name Amoret.
But how popular is the baby name Amoret?
It’s never ranked in the US Top 1000. As of 2023:
- Fewer than five girls were named Amoret
- Fewer than five girls were named Amoretta
- Amoreta also failed to register in the data
- 20 girls were named Amorette
It’s the spelling Amorette that follows with popular names like Juliette, which now out ranks Juliet.
MORE NAMES MEANING LOVE
While Amoret is rarely heard, plenty of familiar choices mean love, lover, beloved, or something similar.
Former favorites Amy and Amanda both come from the Latin. Esme is an Old French word filtered through Scottish. Carys is Welsh, Kerensa Cornish, and Cara is Italian.
POETIC RARITY
All of the names the baby name Amoret a poetic rarity. It’s a truly unique name, familiar but very seldom heard. With a rich history and a strong literary association, it’s not invented. And what a great meaning for a child’s name!
If you’re looking for a name that mixes warmth with a certain unexpected quality, Amoret – or Amorette – is one to consider.
What do you think of the name Amoret?
First published on January 25, 2011, this post was revised and updated on November 27, 2024.
That association just makes the name more appealing.
I like Amoret/Amorette/Amoretta, it is on my list. I find it romantic. But I like Canacee too! Will you do a post on her too?
I found this name in a turn of the century name book in New York. I named my daughter Amoret on December 1, 1988. Her nickname is Rett. She is 23 now and the name has served her well. She is always told it is a very romantic sounding name. She is very lovely and quite a classy lady. She was popular in high school for her kindness and acceptance of others. She is now in college finshing up her studies. She will be traveling over seas to work with orphaned children for a year. She is conservative in views and I feel she reflects her name nicely … little love.
I am an Amoret! I was named after my Godmother, whose parents were literary types so they got it from The Faeirie Queene. I’ve always loved having the name – I don’t think I’ve ever been introduced to anyone who hasn’t said “what a lovely name, where does it come from”! Although lots of people think it’s French and must have an “ette” on the end. I always just say that it’s “Old English”. Rather bizarre that there are lots of references to “Juliet” here, as that’s my sister’s name! I would highly recommend “Amoret”, except that I’m rather protective over my name and so don’t want lots more of us out there!
This one’s been on my list for quite some time. It would make an adorable middle.
Britomart is the real story for me here! Seriously, Edmund?
I love this name! It’s actually one that I had written down to keep in mind. I knew of the Faerie Queene connection, though I never liked Belphoebe as well. Thanks for doing this one!
I want to say this as [am-oar-AY], not [am-or-ETTE]. Is that correct? I think it’s a really pretty, uncommon, and striking name with a great meaning and lots of style, but I think she might be best suited for a middle name…
Abby, I thought I’d report on more interesting name finds at tinyprints.com, the online card/invitation/stationary retailer. I spotted a Melinda and a Yasmine, a Faye and a Sylvia, a Duncan and a Gordon, a Theodore and a Coleman! In the adult stationary section, I noticed Ophelia, Cecile, Naoka, and Bernie. A surprisingly popular name on the site? Samantha.
It’s a pretty name, but almost a little too obvious, if you know what I mean. That is, it’s meaning seems a little too obvious, and therefore rather cutesy. I could see it working well for some couples, but it’s not to my particular taste.