Amos

♂ Boy

Pronounced AY-mos /ˈeɪ.məs/High

Meaning: From the Hebrew Amos (עָמוֹס), meaning 'carried by God,' 'borne,' or 'burdened'; Amos was one of the Twelve Minor Prophets in the Hebrew Bible, a shepherd from Tekoa who prophesied justice for the poorHigh

In 30 seconds: Amos is a sturdy, prophetic Hebrew name meaning 'carried by God.' With roots as deep as the 8th century BCE, it carries genuine biblical weight while sounding fresh and strong today, riding the same revival wave as Elijah and Ezra.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningFrom the Hebrew Amos (עָמוֹס), meaning 'carried by God,' 'borne,' or 'burdened'; Amos was one of the Twelve Minor Prophets in the Hebrew Bible, a shepherd from Tekoa who prophesied justice for the poor

U.S. rank (2025)#730 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births364 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1922

Total births (all-time)≈ 36,509

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Amos is a Hebrew name from the root 'amas meaning 'to carry' or 'to bear a burden.' The prophet Amos lived in the 8th century BCE and is credited with writing one of the earliest books of the Hebrew Bible. The name was used widely in Puritan and early American communities.

Amos peaked in American use in the 19th century but declined through most of the 20th. It has been rising strongly since the 2010s as part of the revival of short, strong biblical names including Ezra, Silas, and Elias. It is now firmly established in the cool-biblical category.

Did you know? The biblical Amos was a shepherd and fig-tree farmer from Tekoa who became one of the first writing prophets of ancient Israel, denouncing social injustice, exploitation of the poor, and empty religious ritual. The Book of Amos contains the famous line: 'Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream' (5:24).

Overall data confidence 93%

Behind the Name — Amos — etymology and biblical historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

AmozAmoss

Nicknames

AmeMo

Famous Bearers

★Amos (the Prophet) (biblical)
8th-century BCE Hebrew prophet and shepherd from Tekoa, author of the Book of Amos.

If you like Amos…

Ezra— shares the short, strong Hebrew biblical prophet feel and the same modern revival trajectory

Silas— fellow short Hebrew/Greek biblical name in the exact same cool-biblical revival wave

Elias— shares the Hebrew prophetic tradition and the same ancient gravitas in a modern context

Jonah— parallel minor-prophet name with the same two-syllable punch and biblical weight

Frequently Asked

What does the name Amos mean?

Amos means 'carried by God' or 'borne' from Hebrew. The prophet Amos was a 8th-century BCE shepherd known for his passionate advocacy for social justice.

How do you pronounce Amos?

Amos is pronounced AY-mos /ˈeɪ.məs/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Amos making a comeback?

Yes, Amos has been rising strongly in the U.S. since the 2010s as part of the revival of short, powerful Hebrew biblical names.

Is Amos a religious name?

Amos is a Hebrew biblical name, deeply rooted in Jewish scripture and used in Christian naming traditions for centuries.