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I don't think its awful. I'm not really sure what I think. I don't love it but I don't hate it either. I think its fine to use, personally it doesn't make me think stripper or anything like that. I used to really like it (a few years ago).

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Not low class to me. Very middle class, actually. It's the 70s version of Carolyn, Brenda, Michelle, Heather, Kendra, Brittany, Ashley... "new" names that get quite popular in their time, in the mainstream. Not in the "low class" but in the class that has too much to lose to use misspelled or unprecedented names, and has enough self-esteem to feel entitled to names that are new and modern. Amber has a lot of precedent with the gem and color names. I think the only thing less "classy" about it is that the gem in question is associated with affordable "costume" (vanity) jewelry, not "nice" (expensive, status related) jewelry. And of course, it has been brought down to earth, in the experience of people of a certain generation, by the existence of a cubic shitton of peers - mainstream, ordinary young women - named Amber. But same goes for the other names I mention, and I think they all have turned out respectable enough for anyone to use based just on aesthetic appeal, even someone who fancies themselves "upper class" or whatever. It's pretty and modest to me, not anymore tacky or low class than wearing amber as a semi-precious gemstone set in sterling.

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Edit: oh I left out Jennifer! Another name used in a similar pattern by a similar demographic, in my experience at least.

This message was edited 8/9/2008, 1:25 AM

I like it, always have for some reason. I think you can get over the negative associations, especially here in Australia where the name was never as popular.

I really dislike this name but I can see it in a similar light to my own name, Heather, which I hated for years and have now come to love.

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1. Both were very popular for a time. (Heather in the 1970s and 80s, Amber in the 1980s and 1990s)
2. Both are two syllables and end in -er, and there aren't a huge amount of -er names for girls (Jennifer comes to mind, which was always grossly popular...what's the attraction to -er names for girls? lol).
3. Both are word names. Heather is a flower, Amber is a gem (somewhat). I find myself drawn to the heather flower, and color, scents, etc. I'm sure an Amber might like the amber stone, color, etc.
4. Both have 'ditzy' or 'bimbo' associations, for whatever reason, but the names are both so popular that all of us probably know at least one Heather AND Amber that don't fit that mold at all. I am definitely one Heather that is not a ditzy bimbo by any means. :b And actually people have told me I don't "look like a Heather", but I've met very few Heathers, or Ambers for that matter, that were terribly flighty, dumb, busty, or strippers (I don't hang out with many strippers, though ;b).

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Personally, I don't know that I could get over my dislike of the name to use it, even though it's a bit similar to my own name, and that I like. But I kind of have to like my name and get used to it, find its redeeming qualities. That and most Ambers I know aren't the nicest people, which is shallow of me to judge a name on that (but they're not bimbos, really!), but we all do, I guess.

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If you think it's something you can learn to love, cool. But don't force it or you might resent him for it if you use it. Ya know?

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(Forgive any spelling/grammar mistakes...I'm extremely tired and need to pull myself away.from.the.computer....)

I like Amber because I know a girl with this name and she's really smart and outgoing and funny. I don't really have any negative associations, and since that Amber is the only one I've met or even heard of, it doesn't seem overused or dated to me at all (I'm in NZ, might be different where you are).

At the moment I definetely wouldn't use the name Amber. It does have a low class association and it sounds very outdated.

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It actually is a nice name I have to admit that. Wendy for example is also a nice name but when you hear it you can't think of Peter Pan for some reason even if you really want to. The Peter Pan image just gets pushed aside and instead you think of fast food and uneducated people. The same goes for Amber. Your try to think of the gem but for some reason you can't.

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The good thing is I can totally see Amber making a comeback. The bad thing is that I think it'll make that comeback in about 60 to 100 years.

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There are some alternatives you could use, though. There's the Italian Ambra. The problem is the "bra" in Ambra. There's also the French Ambre but I think most people can't pronounce it and just think it's a weird spelling of Amber.

I guess it sounds a lot softer and sweeter in an Australian accent than an American one. I really dislike how it sounds; I hate m and b next to each other, sounds fat and clunky. Followed by the -er makes it straight dumb. But ambuh isn't as bad.

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The associations don't really bother me for Jessica, which I guess is similar vibewise to Amber. It might be better as a middle name if you're worried about it though.

I know it has a bad reputation, but I must say I find it pretty. It might not be the classiest name in the world, but I wouldn't call it "trashy" or "stripperish" as the likes of, say, Desiree or Naeveh, or even Diamond or Sapphire (I know these are gems too, but they feel way trashier than Amber. On the other hand, Ruby doesn't feel trashy at all. Can't really pinpoint what's going on here). The only real potentially "trashy" association I have myself is the sexy novel/film from the 1950s "Forever Amber", but it's not as if that was something terribly well known these days.

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So, overall, I agree that the sound and meaning can redeem it.

This message was edited 8/8/2008, 1:22 PM

I think it's an alright name. I don't think stripper, I might think ditzy girl, but not stripper. I would think that names like Candy, Honey, Jennie etc. are associated with strippers, but not Amber.

I like Amber. I live in England, and it's not really been used much over here, I don't know any.
I think it is very soft & sweet & a lovely name.

I have a violent reaction to the name, but that's only because of a person, not what you mention, though admittedly, those would be my next impressions.

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I kind of feel that way about Autumn, so I guess I can see where you're coming from. Nice enough sounds and otherwise good associations, but just soooo dated. It's a coin flip, realy. Maybe with the perfect combo? I'd have to see the whole thing first, methinks.

I really like Amber. I think it's had bad press but deserves a second glance.

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Amber (the stuff) is fascinating to look at, so pretty (though not my colour...) and I've never thought Amber the name was tacky like Jade. There's something exotic about it, like Scarlett. (I suspect Scarlett, now fashionable, will be seen just like Amber in 15 years' time - but I digress.) It always seems to belong to pretty girls.

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ETA: I see that in Australia, as in Scotland, it's still a top 100 name. That hopefully means it wouldn't seem too old for a daughter of yours. (As in, people won't assume she's ten years older than is. Nobody wants that when they're in the 30s and 40s lol.) I'm surprised it's top 100 here because I seldom hear it, but it wasn't common in my generation and I don't know many children :shrug:

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This message was edited 8/8/2008, 11:40 AM

I like it. I am actually thinking about it for a name.

I quite like it, maybe a bit hippy but not dreadful. I know a girl (around 14) called Amber. She's very middle class and extremely charming, not at all trashy or tacky. Her siblings are Miles and Molly if that helps.

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If S really, really likes it then I'd say go for it. Nice, sweet name.

I knew two girls named Amber and they were both alright. I think that it is an okay name

I don't mind it. It's a bit dated, but the US popularity charts will tell you it is still quite popular. It got popular around the same time that Heather did, but Heather is a name I would consider to be truly dated.
The only strong association I can think of about Amber, posititve or negative, is "Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon" and its sequels.

I think its save-able. I knew a lot of different Ambers growing up, and yes, some of them were ditsy and, ahem, 'cheap', but I also knew Ambers were pretty, smart, and kind. I'm a firm believer that a child will grow up to be their own person, regardless of what you name them.

I don't think of strippers-- it gives me an image of a fly trapped in amber. Which still isn't the most pleasant association.

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Uhhh. I don't think it's completely awful, but it's not fabulous either. I'm sort of neutral toward it.

I really like Amber. Unfortunately, it does seem to be shorthand in the media/entertainment for a snobby, ditzy character. But I don't think it's become a total joke name - my belief is that once people met a little girl Amber, those associations would fall away if they were ever there. I'm not sure where you're from -I'm English and Amber is pretty much at its (low-ish) peak now. But if you're American, perhaps that could also work in your favour, because people will be likely to know real-life Ambers who have tempered the 'stripperish' associations of the name.

I love Amber! I picture an auburn haired girl with nice brown eyes, and very pretty. I don't see any stripper there. The "associations" don't worry me.