"immortal, divine"
Ambrose
Pronunciation: [ AMBR-ohz ]
A name meaning immortal — and built to last
Meaning & Origin
"belonging to the immortals"
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
Famous People Named Ambrose
Ambrose Bierce
Writer
1842
American Civil War veteran and satirist known for The Devil's Dictionary and mysterious disappearance in 1913
Saint Ambrose
Religious
340
Bishop of Milan and Doctor of the Western Church, who baptized Saint Augustine and shaped early Christian theology
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
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Ambrose is also used as a girl name, ranked #17740.
View Ambrose as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ambrose
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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.