Amma

♀ Girl

Pronounced AH-mah /ˈɑ.mɑ/Medium

Meaning: Amma means 'mother' in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and other South Asian languages, and it is used as a term of deep affection and respect. It is also widely used as an honorific for the spiritual teacher Mata Amritanandamayi, known as Amma, which we note respectfully. Separately, Amma is an Akan day-name in Ghana for a girl born on a Saturday.Medium

In 30 seconds: Amma means 'mother' across several South Asian languages, and it is also an Akan day-name from Ghana (said 'AH-mah').

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Origin LowTamil, Akan

MeaningAmma means 'mother' in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and other South Asian languages, and it is used as a term of deep affection and respect. It is also widely used as an honorific for the spiritual teacher Mata Amritanandamayi, known as Amma, which we note respectfully. Separately, Amma is an Akan day-name in Ghana for a girl born on a Saturday.

U.S. rank (2024)#15394 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2019

Total births (all-time)≈ 568

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

Amma is, first, the word for 'mother' in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and neighbouring South Asian languages - a word of great warmth and respect. It is also widely known as the honorific for Mata Amritanandamayi, the Indian spiritual teacher called Amma, and we note that respectfully; families should know the association. Quite separately, Amma is an Akan day-name in Ghana, given to a girl born on Saturday. In the U.S. it is very rare, and its routes here are various, which we say plainly (said 'AH-mah').

It appears only very rarely for girls in the U.S. Rare here, deeply familiar in South Asia and Ghana.

Did you know? Amma is 'mother' in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam - one of the warmest words in those languages. It is also the honorific used for the spiritual teacher Mata Amritanandamayi, and, quite separately, an Akan day-name in Ghana (said 'AH-mah').

Overall data confidence 50%

References - Amma — Tamil/Telugu/Malayalam amma 'mother'; honorific for Mata Amritanandamayi; Akan day-name (Saturday-born girl).

Variations

AmaAmahAmmaa

Nicknames

AmAmmiMimi

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Amma…

Ama— the common Akan spelling of the day-name

Anaya— a like short South Asian girls' name

Aditi— a fellow Indian name with a warm sound

Awa— a similarly popular pick

Nana— lands in the same popularity range

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Amma mean?

Amma means 'mother' in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and related languages. It is also the honorific for the teacher Mata Amritanandamayi, and separately an Akan day-name in Ghana.

How do you pronounce Amma?

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

Is Amma a boy or girl name?

Amma is a girl's name.

How popular is Amma?

Amma is very rare and newly emerging for girls in the U.S.