"carried by God"
Amos
Pronunciation: [ AYM-uhs ]
An ancient prophet name with modern revival energy
Meaning & Origin
"burdened, laden"
The Story of Amos
Amos comes from the Hebrew name Amos, derived from the root word meaning to carry or to be burdened. In the Old Testament, Amos was an 8th-century BC prophet from Judah who preached social justice and divine accountability. His book is one of the earliest written prophetic works in the Bible, making his name one of the oldest still in common use today.
Amos enjoyed steady use throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries in English-speaking countries, then faded mid-century. It has been rising again since 2010 as parents seek vintage biblical names with gravitas, spurred partly by literary associations.
In Jewish tradition, Amos is a revered prophet who championed the poor and denounced corruption. In American culture, the name carries pioneer-era associations through figures like Amos Bronson Alcott.
Fun Facts
- Amos is one of the 12 minor prophets of the Hebrew Bible
- The name has been used continuously in English since the Puritan era
- Amos was a common name among formerly enslaved African Americans who adopted biblical names
Amos in Other Languages
Famous People Named Amos
Tori Amos
Musician
1963
American singer-songwriter and pianist known for her emotionally intense compositions
Amos Oz
Writer
1939
Celebrated Israeli novelist and political commentator, author of A Tale of Love and Darkness
Amos Bronson Alcott
Other
1799
American educator and philosopher, father of Louisa May Alcott
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #699
- Total SSA Count
- 386
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Amos is also used as a girl name, ranked #37699.
View Amos as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Amos
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About the Name Amos
Amos is a boy name with Jewish, English, and American origins . The name means "carried by God" in Hebrew .
Is Amos a boy or girl name? Amos is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #699 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #37,699. Amos is more commonly used as a boy name.
Amos is currently ranked #699 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Amos has 2 syllables and is pronounced AYM-uhs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Amos include Amor, Amon, Amory, Amori . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.