"ember, smoldering remnant"
Origin: Old Norse
Language: English
Ember
Pronunciation: [ EHMB-er ]
Does Ember flow with your last name?
A glowing spark of warmth with nature's quiet fire
English
American
Earthy
Bold
Whimsical
Modern
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"spark, glowing coal"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
"live coal, smoldering fire"
Origin: Old English æmerge
Language: English
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The Story of Ember
Ember comes from the Old English 'æmerge' meaning a glowing coal or spark still alight in ash. The word evokes warmth, light, and the persistent glow that remains after flames die down. As a name, Ember is a modern American invention — part of the nature and elemental name trend that has been gaining momentum since the 2000s, alongside names like Ash, Flame, and Blaze.
Ember entered the US charts in the 2010s and has climbed steadily. It benefits from the popularity of its sound-alike Amber while feeling fresher and more distinctive. The ember symbol — a small but persistent flame — resonates with parents who want a name that conveys warmth and inner light.
The ember as a symbol appears across cultures as a representation of hope, persistence, and warmth — something that glows even in darkness. As an elemental name, Ember sits alongside nature names like River and Willow as a name connecting to the natural world.
Historical Record
Ember first appeared in US Social Security records in 1952.
Over 20,662 babies have been named Ember in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ember is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #137 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Ember moved into the US top 200 girl names in 2016 and continues to rise
- The word ember comes from Old English and is related to Scandinavian words for hot coal
Ember in Other Languages
French
Ember
German
Ember
Spanish
Ember
Popularity Over Time
#137
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ember
E
Ember Moon
Athlete
1990
American professional wrestler known in WWE and AEW, former NXT Women's Champion
E
Ember Swift
Musician
1977
Canadian singer-songwriter known for blending folk, pop and Chinese music influences
E
Emberly (character) Fictional
Other
Protagonist of the Emberly series of children's books, a fire fairy
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Compare Ember with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #137
- Total SSA Count
- 2,172
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Em
Emmy
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ember
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Ember is also used as a boy name, ranked #3159.
View Ember as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ember
What does the name Ember mean?
"ember, smoldering remnant" (from Old Norse). "spark, glowing coal" (from Old English). "live coal, smoldering fire" (from Old English æmerge). Ember comes from the Old English 'æmerge' meaning a glowing coal or spark still alight in ash. The word evokes warmth, light, and the persistent glow that remains after flames die down. As a name, Ember is a modern American invention — part of the nature and elemental name trend that has been gaining momentum since the 2000s, alongside names like Ash, Flame, and Blaze.
What is the origin of the name Ember?
Ember has Old Norse, Old English, Old English æmerge, English, and American origins. In Old Norse, it means "ember, smoldering remnant". In Old English, it means "spark, glowing coal". In Old English æmerge, it means "live coal, smoldering fire".
Is Ember a boy or girl name?
Ember is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #137. As a boy name, it is ranked #3159. Ember is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Ember?
Ember is pronounced EHMB-er.
How popular is the name Ember?
Ember is currently ranked #137 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ember?
Common nicknames for Ember include Emmy.
What are good middle names for Ember?
Popular middle name pairings include Ember Rose, Ember Jade, Ember Skye, Ember Wren, Ember Faye, Ember Dawn, and Ember Lyric.
What are good sibling names for Ember?
Names that pair well with Ember as siblings include Ash, Blaze, Storm, Hazel, Willow, and Rowan.
How many syllables does Ember have?
Ember has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Ember a common or rare name?
Ember is a popular name, ranked #137 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Ember?
About the Name Ember
Ember is a girl name with English and American origins . The name means "ember, smoldering remnant" in Old Norse .
Is Ember a boy or girl name? Ember is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #137 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #3,159. Ember is more commonly used as a girl name.
Ember is currently ranked #137 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Ember has 2 syllables and is pronounced EHMB-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Ember include Em and Emmy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Ember include Emberly, Emberlynn, Emberlyn, Emberlee, Emberleigh . 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