This post contains affiliate links.
At a Glance: – Meaning: Grace, eternal, beloved – Origin: Latin, Igbo (Nigerian), Sanskrit – Gender: Girl – Pronunciation: ah-MAR-ah
Amara is a multicultural gem that carries beautiful meanings across several languages and traditions. In Latin, it’s associated with love and grace. In the Igbo language of Nigeria, it means "grace" or "mercy." And in Sanskrit, it translates to "eternal" or "immortal."
This versatility makes Amara a meaningful choice for families of many backgrounds—a name that travels well and sounds beautiful in nearly any language.
Meaning & Origin of Amara
Amara has roots in multiple cultures, giving it rich layers of meaning:
Latin origin: Derived from the Latin word "amarus" (meaning "bitter" in its original form), Amara evolved to be associated with love and the beloved. It’s related to names like Amelia, Amanda, and Amora—all connected to the concept of love.
African origin (Igbo): In the Igbo language of Nigeria, Amara (sometimes spelled Amarachi) means "grace" or "mercy." It’s traditionally given to children seen as gifts from God or blessings to their family. The full form Amarachi means "God’s grace."
Sanskrit origin: From the Sanskrit "a-mara," meaning "immortal" or "eternal." This connects to themes of everlasting life and timelessness, giving the name a spiritual depth.
Arabic connection: Some sources also trace Amara to Arabic, where it can mean "eternal" or relate to the concept of everlasting.
This multicultural appeal has helped Amara rise steadily in popularity among parents seeking a name with global significance that works beautifully across different languages and cultures.
How to Pronounce Amara
Phonetic: ah-MAR-ah
The emphasis is on the second syllable (MAR). The name has three syllables and flows smoothly.
Common variations in pronunciation: – ah-MAHR-ah (more common in African contexts, slightly longer "a" sound) – AM-ah-rah (less common, emphasis on first syllable) – uh-MAR-uh (American casual pronunciation)
The most widely accepted pronunciation is ah-MAR-ah, with a soft "a" sound at the beginning and end.
Popularity of Amara
Amara has been steadily climbing the charts in recent years:
U.S. Popularity: – Current rank: #119 (2024) – First entered Top 1000: 2000 – Peak popularity: Rising steadily since entering charts – Trend: Upward—gaining approximately 50 spots per decade
Popularity by decade: – 2000s: Entered Top 1000, ranked around #800 – 2010s: Climbed to around #300 – 2020s: Now in Top 150 and still rising
International popularity: – Growing in the UK, Canada, and Australia – Already popular in Nigeria and other West African countries – Rising in Europe, especially in Germany and Netherlands
The name appeals to parents looking for something distinctive yet accessible—exotic enough to stand out, but familiar enough to not require constant explanation.
Famous People Named Amara
Entertainers: – Amara La Negra — Dominican-American singer, TV personality, and star of Love & Hip Hop: Miami – Amara Karan — British actress known for The Darjeeling Limited and Doctor Who – Amara Miller — American actress who appeared in The Descendants
Athletes: – Amara Darboh — NFL wide receiver
Fictional Characters: – Amara — Character in the video game Borderlands 3 – Amara Aquilla (Magma) — Marvel Comics X-Men character
Nicknames & Variations
Popular nicknames for Amara: – Mara — The most natural short form – Amy — Classic and familiar – Mimi — Sweet and playful – Ari — Modern and energetic – Ami — Simple and cute – Mara — Elegant standalone option
Spelling variations: – Amarra — Double "r" version – Amira — Arabic variation meaning "princess" – Amora — Spanish/Latin variation – Amarah — Alternative spelling
International versions: – Amarachi (Igbo) — Full form meaning "God’s grace" – Amira (Arabic) — Related name meaning "princess" – Amaya (Basque/Japanese) — Similar sound, different origin
Related names from the same roots: – Amelia — Latin, meaning "industrious" – Amanda — Latin, meaning "worthy of love" – Amora — Spanish, meaning "love"
Names Similar to Amara
If you love Amara, you might also like:
For Girls: – Amira — Arabic name meaning "princess," similar sound with regal meaning – Aria — Italian name meaning "air" or "song," equally musical – Aurora — Latin name meaning "dawn," same ethereal quality – Alina — Slavic name meaning "bright, beautiful" – Amaya — Basque name with similar flow – Zara — Arabic name meaning "princess" or "blooming flower" – Nadia — Slavic name meaning "hope"
For Boys: – Amir — Arabic name meaning "prince" – Ezra — Hebrew name meaning "help" – Asher — Hebrew name meaning "happy, blessed"
Sibling Names for Amara
Sister names that pair well with Amara: – Amara & Zara — Both end in "a," multicultural feel – Amara & Luna — Nature-inspired, same rhythm – Amara & Nadia — Both have international appeal – Amara & Isla — Feminine, flowing sounds – Amara & Maya — Similar sounds that complement – Amara & Layla — Both have soft "a" sounds
Brother names that pair well with Amara: – Amara & Ezra — Both end in "a," Hebrew and multicultural mix – Amara & Kai — Short, strong, international – Amara & Isaiah — Biblical meets multicultural – Amara & Leo — Strong, simple, pairs well – Amara & Amir — Similar sounds, different meanings
Middle Names for Amara
Classic pairings: – Amara Grace — Grace echoes the name’s meaning – Amara Rose — Timeless flower name – Amara Jane — Simple, grounding middle – Amara Elizabeth — Elegant and traditional – Amara Claire — Clean, sophisticated
Modern pairings: – Amara Sage — Nature-inspired, fresh – Amara Wren — Bird name, minimalist – Amara Soleil — French for "sun," bright and warm – Amara Quinn — Short, strong, contemporary – Amara Skye — Open, ethereal
One-syllable options: – Amara June – Amara Kate – Amara Pearl – Amara Faye – Amara Belle
More Baby Name Inspiration
Found the perfect name? Save this page and share it with friends who are expecting!
