"sparkling, to flash or sparkle"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Amaryllis
Pronunciation: [ am-er-IHL-uhs ]
Does Amaryllis flow with your last name?
A sparkling Greek name that blooms like its flower
Greek
English
Latin
Whimsical
Literary
Elegant
Vintage
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Amaryllis
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Amaryllis
4 shorthand options for every setting
Fantasy Names
Amaryllis as a Fantasy Character
Halfling lore, pronunciation, D&D class tips
Meaning & Origin
"fresh, flowing stream (alternative etymology)"
Origin: Greek pastoral
Language: Greek
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Amaryllis
See all →What the Amaryllis report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Amaryllis the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Amaryllis
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Amaryllis head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Amaryllis actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Amaryllis
Amaryllis comes from the Greek "amaryssein," meaning "to sparkle" or "to flash." In ancient Greek pastoral poetry, Amaryllis was a stock name for a beautiful country girl — she appears in the idylls of Theocritus (3rd century BC) and in Virgil's Eclogues. The name also became attached to the genus of flowering plants (Amaryllis belladonna) in the 18th century, deepening its floral association.
Amaryllis has never been common as a first name in English-speaking countries, but it maintains a devoted following among parents who love classical literature and unusual floral names. Its appearance in Milton's Lycidas ("to sport with Amaryllis in the shade") kept it in literary consciousness for centuries.
In Greek pastoral tradition, Amaryllis was the archetypal beautiful shepherdess, representing rustic beauty and simplicity. The Amaryllis flower (technically Hippeastrum) has become a beloved winter holiday plant, associated with beauty and determination.
Historical Record
Amaryllis first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,462 babies have been named Amaryllis in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Amaryllis is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #2,708 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Virgil used Amaryllis as a character name in his Eclogues around 37 BC
- The Amaryllis plant was officially named in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus after the pastoral character
- Milton immortalized the name in Lycidas: "to sport with Amaryllis in the shade"
Amaryllis in Other Languages
Greek
Αμαρυλλίς
French
Amaryllis
Italian
Amarillide
Spanish
Amarilis
Portuguese
Amarílis
Popularity Over Time
#2,708
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Amaryllis
A
Amaryllis Fleming
Musician
1925
British cellist, illegitimate daughter of Ian Fleming's father, known for her concert performances across Europe
A
Amaryllis (pastoral character) Fictional
Other
Beautiful shepherdess featured in Theocritus' Idylls and Virgil's Eclogues, an archetype of rustic beauty in classical l...
Beautiful shepherdess featured in Theocritus' Idylls and Virgil's Eclogues, an archetype of rustic beauty in classical literature
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #2,708
- Total SSA Count
- 64
- Cultural Origins
- Greek English Latin
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Amy
Rilly
Rillie
Mari
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 4-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 4-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Amaryllis
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Amaryllis fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Amaryllis →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Amaryllis with...
Same Origin Names (Greek)
See all Greek names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Amaryllis
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Amaryllis and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Amaryllis sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Adella
Girl
Old High German origin
"of noble birth"
#2,794 in US
Psalm
Girl
Greek origin
"song sung to a harp"
#2,866 in US
Teddi
Girl
Old English Edward origin
"wealthy guardian"
#2,538 in US
Klaire
Girl
Latin origin
"illustrious, shining"
#2,670 in US
Audrianna
Girl
Germanic/Hebrew origin
"noble strength with grace"
#2,898 in US
Joanne
Girl
Late Latin origin
"gift of God"
#2,584 in US
Carleigh
Girl
Old Germanic karl origin
"feminine form of Charles"
#2,619 in US
Scotti
Girl
Latin origin
"Gaelic speaker"
#2,855 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Amaryllis's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amaryllis
What does the name Amaryllis mean?
"sparkling, to flash or sparkle" (from Greek). "fresh, flowing stream (alternative etymology)" (from Greek pastoral). Amaryllis comes from the Greek "amaryssein," meaning "to sparkle" or "to flash." In ancient Greek pastoral poetry, Amaryllis was a stock name for a beautiful country girl — she appears in the idylls of Theocritus (3rd century BC) and in Virgil's Eclogues. The name also became attached to the genus of flowering plants (Amaryllis belladonna) in the 18th century, deepening its floral association.
What is the origin of the name Amaryllis?
Amaryllis has Greek, Greek pastoral, English, and Latin origins. In Greek, it means "sparkling, to flash or sparkle". In Greek pastoral, it means "fresh, flowing stream (alternative etymology)".
Is Amaryllis a boy or girl name?
Amaryllis is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Amaryllis?
Amaryllis is pronounced am-er-IHL-uhs.
How popular is the name Amaryllis?
Amaryllis is currently ranked #2708 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Amaryllis?
Common nicknames for Amaryllis include Amy, Rilly, Rillie, and Mari.
What are good middle names for Amaryllis?
Popular middle name pairings include Amaryllis Rose, Amaryllis Jane, Amaryllis Claire, Amaryllis Wren, Amaryllis Fern, Amaryllis Elise, and Amaryllis Violet.
What are good sibling names for Amaryllis?
Names that pair well with Amaryllis as siblings include Persephone, Corinna, Lysander, Cressida, Oberon, and Calliope.
How many syllables does Amaryllis have?
Amaryllis has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Amaryllis a common or rare name?
Amaryllis is an uncommon name, ranked #2708 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Amaryllis?
About the Name Amaryllis
Amaryllis is a girl name with Greek, English, and Latin origins . The name means "sparkling, to flash or sparkle" in Greek .
Amaryllis is currently ranked #2,708 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Amaryllis has 4 syllables and is pronounced am-er-IHL-uhs, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Amaryllis include Amy, Rilly, Rillie, and Mari. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Amaryllis include Amara, Amari, Amaris, Amariah, Amarah . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Greek Names
Browse all names with this origin
A
Names Starting with A
More girl names like Amaryllis
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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