Amber
Amber comes from the Arabic "anbar," which originally referred to ambergris (the waxy substance from sperm whales used in perfumery). Through Spanish ("ámbar") and French ("ambre"), the word shifted in English to mean the golden fossilized tree resin used in jewelry. The name is essentially a gemstone name, like Ruby or Pearl, but with an unusual linguistic journey. Amber was rare as a first name until the 1950s, then it climbed dramatically. It was the #13 girl name in the US in 1981 and 1982, part of the same wave that lifted Crystal, Jade, and Diamond. The name has a warm, golden sound that matches its meaning — the open "A" and the humming "m" make it feel sunlit. Amber Heard, Amber Riley, and Amber Tamblyn have kept it visible. What I notice about Amber is how physical it is. Most names are abstract, but Amber is a thing — a real substance that you can hold. It has weight and color. That materiality gives it a presence that purely conceptual names lack. It also feels slightly 1980s in a way that may either date it or make it ripe for revival. Amber is a female name of Arabic / English (gemstone) origin that means "Fossilized tree resin". Warm, vibrant, and a little nostalgic. The name sounds golden. Ambers are often energetic and direct. US peaked #13 in 1981. Now outside top 500. Well-known people named Amber include Amber Heard (actress), Amber Riley (actress/singer), Amber Tamblyn (actress), Amber Liu (musician). Common variations and related forms of Amber include Ambre (French), Ámbar (Spanish), Amberly (modern elaboration), Amberlyn (modern).