Ambika
Meaningmother, Parvati · Sanskrit
Ambika is an Indian girl name meaning “mother, Parvati”, with Sanskrit roots. Sanskrit names are rich in meaning, often drawn from nature, virtues or Hindu tradition. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- Word funAmbika starts and ends with the same letter, A. A neat little bookend.
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Ambika would score 14 points, thanks largely to the K (worth 5).
- GenerationAmbika peaked in 2000, which makes it a Gen Z name. The typical Ambika you'd meet today is about 25 years old.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Ambika would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 178,571 baby girls got the name in 2025.
- HistoryAmbika first shows up in US birth records in 1977, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 48 years since.
US births per million girls, 1977–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Ambika
Ambika is a girl name of Indian origin meaning “mother, Parvati”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It hit its peak in the 2000s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Indian names
More Indian girl names
- Girl name: Maya · illusion
- Girl name: Lyla · night
- Unisex name: Arya · noble
- Girl name: Kali · black
- Girl name: Serena · calm, serene
- Girl name: Mira · wonderful
- Girl name: Amber · amber resin
- Unisex name: Veda · knowledge
Questions about the name Ambika
What does the name Ambika mean?
Ambika means “mother, Parvati” and comes from Sanskrit. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Uma (“name of goddess Parvati”), Shivani (“Parvati”) and Aparna (“leafless, Parvati”).
What is the origin of the name Ambika?
Ambika is Indian in origin, and its meaning traces back to Sanskrit. Other Indian names to consider are Maya (“illusion”), Lyla (“night”), Arya (“noble”) and Kali (“black”).
Is Ambika a boy or girl name?
Ambika is a girl name. In 2025, 9 US girls were named Ambika.
How popular is the name Ambika?
Ambika ranked #10,107 for US girls in 2025, given to 9 babies. Its best year was 2000, when it reached #5,491.
What names are similar to Ambika?
If you like Ambika, you might also like Uma, Shivani and Aparna.
What should I know before naming my baby Ambika?
Ambika is an Indian girl name meaning “mother, Parvati”, with Sanskrit roots. Sanskrit names are rich in meaning, often drawn from nature, virtues or Hindu tradition. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.