"sacred serpent, water snake"
Origin: Quechua
Language: Spanish
Amaru
Does Amaru flow with your last name?
An ancient Andean name meaning sacred serpent
Peruvian
Bolivian
Andean Indigenous
Spiritual
Earthy
Bold
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"powerful deity, underworld creature"
Origin: Quechua mythology
Language: English
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The Story of Amaru
Amaru comes from the Quechua language of the Andean peoples and means sacred serpent or water snake. In Incan cosmology, the Amaru was a powerful mythological serpent deity associated with water, fertility, and the underworld, one of the most revered creatures in pre-Columbian Andean religion.
Amaru carries deep historical weight in South America. Tupac Amaru II, an 18th-century Peruvian revolutionary, gave the name enduring political and cultural resonance throughout Peru and Bolivia.
The Amaru serpent represents power, water, and the connection between earthly and spiritual worlds in Andean cosmology. The name is a direct link to pre-Columbian heritage and Incan civilization.
Historical Record
Amaru first appeared in US Social Security records in 1996.
Over 926 babies have been named Amaru in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Amaru is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #2,381 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Amaru was one of the most sacred creatures in Inca mythology, symbolizing the god of water and fertility
- Tupac Amaru II led the largest indigenous uprising against Spanish colonialism in 1780
Amaru in Other Languages
Aymara
Amaru
Quechua
Amaru
Spanish
Amaru
Popularity Over Time
#2,381
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Amaru
T
Tupac Amaru Shakur
Musician
1971
Legendary American rapper whose full name honored the Peruvian revolutionary
T
Tupac Amaru II
Military
1738
Peruvian revolutionary leader who led the 1780 uprising against Spanish rule
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Compare Amaru with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,381
- Total SSA Count
- 59
- Cultural Origins
- Peruvian Bolivian Andean Indigenous
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ama
Maru
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Amaru
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Amaru is also used as a girl name, ranked #17838.
View Amaru as a girl name →Similar Names
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Old Norse via Scottish origin
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Japanese kanji origin
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Arabic origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Amaru
What does the name Amaru mean?
"sacred serpent, water snake" (from Quechua). "powerful deity, underworld creature" (from Quechua mythology). Amaru comes from the Quechua language of the Andean peoples and means sacred serpent or water snake. In Incan cosmology, the Amaru was a powerful mythological serpent deity associated with water, fertility, and the underworld, one of the most revered creatures in pre-Columbian Andean religion.
What is the origin of the name Amaru?
Amaru has Quechua, Quechua mythology, Peruvian, Bolivian, and Andean Indigenous origins. In Quechua, it means "sacred serpent, water snake". In Quechua mythology, it means "powerful deity, underworld creature".
Is Amaru a boy or girl name?
Amaru is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2381. As a girl name, it is ranked #17838. Amaru is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Amaru?
Amaru is currently ranked #2381 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Amaru?
Common nicknames for Amaru include Ama and Maru.
What are good middle names for Amaru?
Popular middle name pairings include Amaru Luis, Amaru Jose, Amaru Rafael, Amaru Miguel, Amaru Alejandro, and Amaru Mateo.
What are good sibling names for Amaru?
Names that pair well with Amaru as siblings include Tupac, Quillan, Amara, Nayra, Coya, and Inti.
How many syllables does Amaru have?
Amaru has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Amaru a common or rare name?
Amaru is an uncommon name, ranked #2381 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Amaru?
About the Name Amaru
Amaru is a boy name with Peruvian, Bolivian, and Andean Indigenous origins . The name means "sacred serpent, water snake" in Quechua .
Is Amaru a boy or girl name? Amaru is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,381 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #17,838. Amaru is more commonly used as a boy name.
Amaru is currently ranked #2,381 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Amaru has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Amaru include Ama and Maru. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Amaru include Amari, Amar, Amarion, Amare, Amaris . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis