Back to Baby Names

Ambrose

Pronunciation: [ AMBR-ohz ]

Boy Name #744 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A name meaning immortal — and built to last

English Latin French Italian
Vintage Literary Sophisticated Bold Classic

Meaning & Origin

"immortal, divine"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
"belonging to the immortals"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin

The Story of Ambrose

Ambrose derives from the Latin Ambrosius, which comes from the Greek 'ambrosios,' meaning 'immortal' or 'belonging to the immortals' — from 'ambrotos' (immortal), combining 'a-' (not) and 'brotos' (mortal). Ambrosia was the food of the Greek gods that conferred immortality. Saint Ambrose of Milan (340-397 AD) was one of the four original Doctors of the Western Church, giving the name enduring religious prestige throughout Christian history.

Ambrose has been experiencing a revival as parents seek distinctive vintage names beyond the more common Victorian choices. It fits naturally with the surge of interest in names like Cornelius, Barnaby, and Thaddeus — long names with an old-world gravitas that feel fresh precisely because they've been out of use for generations.

Saint Ambrose of Milan is one of the most important figures in early Western Christianity, known for converting and baptizing Saint Augustine. Ambrose Bierce, the American satirist, gave the name a darkly witty literary edge. The TV series The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina brought the name Ambrose to a new generation.

Fun Facts

  • The food of the Greek gods — ambrosia — shares the same root as Ambrose, meaning both the name and the divine food come from the concept of immortality
  • Saint Ambrose is credited with introducing antiphonal chanting to Western Christianity, a practice that shaped church music for over 1,000 years

Ambrose in Other Languages

Greek Αμβρόσιος
Latin Ambrosius
French Ambroise
Italian Ambrogio
Spanish Ambrosio

Famous People Named Ambrose

A

Ambrose Bierce

Writer

1842

American Civil War veteran and satirist known for The Devil's Dictionary and mysterious disappearance in 1913

S

Saint Ambrose

Religious

340

Bishop of Milan and Doctor of the Western Church, who baptized Saint Augustine and shaped early Christian theology

A

Ambrose Spellman Fictional

Other

Fictional warlock in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Netflix), cousin to Sabrina Spellman

Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#744
Total SSA Count
345
Cultural Origins
English Latin French Italian
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease
Moderate

Common Nicknames

Brose Rosie Amby

Pairs Well With

Ambrose James Ambrose John Ambrose Henry Ambrose Gray Ambrose Felix Ambrose Leander Ambrose Caspian

Sibling Names

Also a Girl Name

Ambrose is also used as a girl name, ranked #17740.

View Ambrose as a girl name →

Similar Names

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Ambrose and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Ambrose sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name
Browse more boy names →

Explore More Generators

Frequently Asked Questions About Ambrose

What does the name Ambrose mean?
"immortal, divine" (from Greek). "belonging to the immortals" (from Latin). Ambrose derives from the Latin Ambrosius, which comes from the Greek 'ambrosios,' meaning 'immortal' or 'belonging to the immortals' — from 'ambrotos' (immortal), combining 'a-' (not) and 'brotos' (mortal). Ambrosia was the food of the Greek gods that conferred immortality. Saint Ambrose of Milan (340-397 AD) was one of the four original Doctors of the Western Church, giving the name enduring religious prestige throughout Christian history.
What is the origin of the name Ambrose?
Ambrose has Greek, Latin, English, French, and Italian origins. In Greek, it means "immortal, divine". In Latin, it means "belonging to the immortals".
Is Ambrose a boy or girl name?
Ambrose is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #744. As a girl name, it is ranked #17740. Ambrose is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Ambrose?
Ambrose is pronounced AMBR-ohz.
How popular is the name Ambrose?
Ambrose is currently ranked #744 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ambrose?
Common nicknames for Ambrose include Brose, Rosie, and Amby.
What are good middle names for Ambrose?
Popular middle name pairings include Ambrose James, Ambrose John, Ambrose Henry, Ambrose Gray, Ambrose Felix, Ambrose Leander, and Ambrose Caspian.
What are good sibling names for Ambrose?
Names that pair well with Ambrose as siblings include Cornelius, Barnaby, Thaddeus, Imogen, Octavia, Rosalind, and Phineas.
How many syllables does Ambrose have?
Ambrose has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Ambrose a common or rare name?
Ambrose is moderately common, ranked #744 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Ambrose

Ambrose is a boy name with English, Latin, French, and Italian origins . The name means "immortal, divine" in Greek .

Is Ambrose a boy or girl name? Ambrose is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #744 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #17,740. Ambrose is more commonly used as a boy name.

Ambrose is currently ranked #744 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Ambrose has 2 syllables and is pronounced AMBR-ohz, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Ambrose include Brose, Rosie, and Amby. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Explore Name Lists