Amy

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ORIGIN AND HISTORY

Amy is a French name, originally spelled Aimée. ^[1] The name can be traced back to the Latin word “amare,” which is the verb “to love.” From that verb it evolved into the Latin nickname Amata, which was then transferred to the Old French, Amee, which eventually became Aimee or Amy. ^[1] The spelling Amy is most common in English-speaking countries, although there are numerous spelling variations available. The spellings Ami and Amie are not likely to be found in France. ^[1]

POPULARITY

Amy is a very popular name in the United States. In 2006, it ranked as number 128 on the list of top 1000 most popular girls’ names. Its peak popularity occurred between the years 1973 and 1976, when it ranked as the second most popular name in the United States. Popularity dipped in the first half of the twentieth century, though the lowest position the name held was number 363 in 1933.

The spelling Aimee is also popular, though its highest position on the list was number 123 in 1976, and it did not appear at all on the top 1000 during the first half of the twentieth century. It was used at the end of the 19th century, but still never saw the popularity of the spelling Amy.

The spelling Ami appeared in the top 1000 only between the years 1969 and 1987. The highest rank was 525 in 1975. ^[1] Ami may also be a boy’s name, of Hebrew origin meaning “my people.” ^[1]

Amy is a very popular name in other English-speaking countries, such as England, Scotland, Australia and Canada. It ranked as the 2nd most popular name in Scotland in 2001, and the 4th most popular name in Ireland in 2005. It has also seen substantial popularity in Norway, Belgium and Sweden during the twenty-first century. ^[1]

FACTS

• Ami is the masculine French word for “friend.” ^[1]
• One of the reasons the name Amy may have gained popularity in the later 19th century is because of a character in the novel Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott. ^[1] Little Women was published in 1868. ^[1]

NAMESAKES

• Amy’s Kitchen: line of organic frozen foods
• Amy’s Ice Cream: Texas ice cream company

FAMOUS PERSONS

• Amy Brenneman: actress
• Amy Grant: musician
• Amy Irving: actress
• Amy Poehler: comedian
• Amy Smart: actress
• Amy Adams: actress
• Amy Brooks: writer
• Amy Carmichael: writer
• Amy Lee: lead vocals for the band Evanescence (born December 13, 1981)
• Amy Winehouse: British vocalist and songwriter (born September 14, 1983)
• Amy Tan: author (born February 19, 1952)
• Aimee Mann: musician
• Aimee Bender: author
• Aimee Sweet: model and porn star (born May 14, 1977)
• Princess Aimée of Orange-Nassau (born October 18, 1977)

NOTES

OTHER AMY'S

Amy Smith, Amy Johnson, Amy Williams, Amy Jones, Amy Brown, Amy Davis, Amy Miller, Amy Wilson, Amy Moore, Amy Taylor, Amy A-town, Amy Aa, Amy Aaby, Amy Aakjar, Amy Aakre, Amy Aalderink, Amy Aalsma, Amy Aames, Amy Aamodt, Amy Aamold, Amy Aanenson, Amy Aanrud, Amy Aardema, Amy Aardsma, Amy Aarhus, Amy Aaroe, Amy Aaron, Amy Aaron-king, Amy Aarons, Amy Aaronson, Amy Aarsvold, Amy Aasheim, Amy Ab, Amy Aba, Amy Abad, Amy Abadeer, Amy Abadie, Amy Abadilla, Amy Abadom, Amy Abady, Amy Abafo, Amy Abagain, Amy Abair, Amy Abalos, Amy Abaray, Amy Aboulkassim, Amy Addlesee, Amy Aftandilian, Amy Aftergut, Amy Alcorda, More results

Author: Sarena Emily Levinson