UK girl's name
Amma
Mother in several Indian languages, derived from Sanskrit.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Amma is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Amma popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5581, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2000, with 5 births.
This profile covers 29 England and Wales registrations across 8 recorded years from 1997 to 2021. 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 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 29 living people in the UK are called Amma. 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 2022 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Amma ranked #5581 for girls in England and Wales in 2021, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2000, when 5 girls were registered as Amma.
- • About 29 living people in the UK are estimated to have Amma as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5581
2021
Births in 2021
3
Latest year
Peak year
2000
5 births
Estimated living
29
2026
Meaning
What does Amma mean?
The name Amma has its origins in the Sanskrit language, which dates back to the 2nd millennium BC. It is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word "amba," which means "mother" or "nurturing." This connection to motherhood and nurturing is central to the meaning and significance of the name.
In ancient Indian texts and scriptures, the word "Amma" is often used as a term of endearment and respect when addressing one's mother or a revered female figure. It is found in various Hindu texts, including the Vedas, which are considered among the oldest sacred texts in the world.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Amma can be found in the Mahabharata, an ancient Indian epic poem that dates back to around the 8th century BCE. In the Mahabharata, Amma is the name of a warrior princess who fought alongside the Pandava brothers in the great war of Kurukshetra.
Throughout history, the name Amma has been associated with several notable figures. One of the most renowned was Amma Jayammal (1892-1992), an Indian freedom fighter and social reformer who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement. She was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and worked tirelessly for the upliftment of women and the poor.
Another notable figure with the name Amma was Amma Dharma Devi (1899-1971), a renowned Indian saint and spiritual leader. She was revered for her teachings on love, compassion, and selfless service, and her ashram in Kerala, India, attracted followers from all over the world.
In the realm of literature, Amma Naidu (1879-1958) was a celebrated Indian poet and writer who wrote in both English and Telugu. She was a pioneer of the Indian Renaissance movement and was known for her advocacy of women's rights and social reforms.
Amma Asante (born 1969) is a contemporary British filmmaker and writer of Ghanaian descent. She is best known for her critically acclaimed films such as "Belle" (2013) and "A United Kingdom" (2016), which explore themes of race, identity, and love in historical settings.
Amma Vatkalraj (born 1971) is an Indian entrepreneur and environmentalist who has been recognized for her efforts in promoting sustainable living and eco-friendly practices. She is the founder of the organization "Amma Naana Terrace Garden," which encourages urban gardening and organic farming.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Amma over time
The chart below shows babies named Amma registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Amma, the clearest high point is 2000. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2021, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Amma by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Amma 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 | #5581 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #5392 | 10 | 3 |
| 2000s | #3720 | 13 | 3 |
| 1990s | #3824 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Amma
- Amelia 94,830
- Ava 54,556
- Amy 52,495
- Alice 46,815
- Abigail 45,658
- Amber 31,922
- Anna 27,802
- Alexandra 19,455
- Amelie 18,051
- Abbie 15,971
- Aimee 15,158
- Annabelle 15,120
FAQ
Amma: questions and answers
How popular is the name Amma in the UK right now?
In 2021, Amma was ranked #5581 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Amma most popular?
The peak year on record was 2000, with 5 babies registered as Amma in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Amma?
Mother in several Indian languages, derived from Sanskrit.
How many people are called Amma in the UK?
A total of 29 babies have been registered as Amma across the 8 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.