NameCensus.

UK name, mostly girls

Ama

A feminine name of African origin meaning "woman of grace".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Ama is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Ama popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3318, with 7 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2007, with 16 births.

This profile covers 229 England and Wales registrations across 27 recorded years from 1997 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 44% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 228 living people in the UK are called Ama. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Ama ranked #3318 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 7 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2007, when 16 girls were registered as Ama.
  • About 228 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ama as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 98.7% of Ama registrations are for girls.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3318

2024

Births in 2024

7

Latest year

Peak year

2007

16 births

Estimated living

228

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Ama

In England and Wales birth records, Ama has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 1.3% of registrations are for boys and 98.7% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

99% girls
Boys3 (1.3%)Girls229 (98.7%)

Ama registered for boys

  • Ranked #4,789 in 2022
  • 3 boys registered in 2022
  • Peak: 2022 (3 births)

Ama registered for girls

  • Ranked #3,318 in 2024
  • 7 girls registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2007 (16 births)

Meaning

What does Ama mean?

The name Ama originates from the Igbo language spoken in southeastern Nigeria. It is a name that dates back to ancient times, with its roots tracing back to the pre-colonial era of the region. The name Ama is derived from the Igbo word "ama," which means "beautiful" or "attractive."

In Igbo culture, names often carry deep symbolic meaning and significance. The name Ama was traditionally given to girls who were considered exceptionally beautiful or blessed with striking physical features. It was a name that reflected the parents' pride and joy in their daughter's appearance and was seen as a blessing from the gods.

While the name Ama does not have any direct historical references in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it has been a part of the Igbo cultural tradition for centuries. Some of the earliest recorded examples of the name date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, when it was commonly used among the Igbo people.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Ama. One of the earliest recorded figures was Ama Ata Aidoo, a renowned Ghanaian author, and playwright born in 1942. Her works, such as the novel "Our Sister Killjoy" and the play "The Dilemma of a Ghost," explored themes of African feminism and cultural identity.

Another prominent individual with the name Ama was Ama Addo, a Ghanaian lawyer and activist born in 1956. She was a pioneer in the field of women's rights and gender equality in Ghana, serving as the founder and president of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Ghana.

In the realm of sports, Ama Agbeze, a Nigerian-British netball player born in 1983, made a significant impact. She represented England in international competitions and was a key member of the team that won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Ama Ata Aidoo, a Ghanaian author and playwright born in 1942, is also noteworthy for her contributions to African literature. Her works, such as the novel "Changes" and the play "Anowa," explored themes of identity, gender, and social change.

Finally, Ama Sey, a Ghanaian politician and diplomat born in 1965, has made her mark on the international stage. She served as the Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection in Ghana and was appointed as the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Ama over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Ama in England and Wales, from 1997 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Ama, the clearest high point is 2007. The latest England and Wales figure is 7 births in 2024, compared with 16 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
0481216199720102024

Decades

Ama by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ama was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #3746 33 5
2010s #2948 76 9
2000s #2203 100 10
1990s #2326 20 3

Related

Names similar to Ama

FAQ

Ama: questions and answers

How popular is the name Ama in the UK right now?

In 2024, Ama was ranked #3318 for girls in England and Wales, with 7 births registered.

When was Ama most popular?

The peak year on record was 2007, with 16 babies registered as Ama in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Ama?

A feminine name of African origin meaning "woman of grace".

How many people are called Ama in the UK?

A total of 229 babies have been registered as Ama across the 27 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.