Ama

♀ Girl

Pronounced AH-mah /ˈɑ.mɑ/Medium

Meaning: From the Akan (Ghana) Ama, the day-name for a girl born on Saturday; also a Sanskrit word, 'mother'; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Born on a Saturday: Ama is an Akan day-name. Crisp, cultural, and warm (said 'AH-mah').

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Origin LowAkan

MeaningFrom the Akan (Ghana) Ama, the day-name for a girl born on Saturday; also a Sanskrit word, 'mother'; routes layered

U.S. rank (2024)#6383 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births18 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2019

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,035

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Ama comes from the Akan (Ghana) tradition of day-names — Ama is given to a girl born on Saturday (the masculine is Kwame). It is also a Sanskrit word, 'mother' (routes layered, which we note). A crisp, cultural name across Ghana and beyond (said 'AH-mah'; nickname Ama).

In the U.S. it appears in Ghanaian and South Asian families. Rare, born-on-a-Saturday at the (Akan) root, and cultural.

Did you know? Ama is the Akan (Ghana) day-name for a girl born on Saturday — and a Sanskrit word, 'mother' — a crisp, cultural name (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'AH-mah').

Overall data confidence 55%

Akan references — Ama — day-name; routes layered

Variations

AmmaAmah

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Ama…

Afia— a kin Akan day-name girls' name

Awa— a fellow Akan choice

Anani— another Akan name

Kymani— lands in the same popularity range

Aza— shares the -a ending

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ama mean?

Ama is the Akan (Ghana) day-name for a girl born on Saturday (and Sanskrit 'mother'); the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Ama?

It's said AH-mah /ˈɑ.mɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Ama a boy or girl name?

Ama is a girl's name.

How popular is Ama?

Ama is a rare name in the U.S.