Boy Old Testament Known
Amos
loading; weighty
עָמוֹס a.mos
Amos (Hebrew: עָמוֹס, a.mos) means “loading; weighty”, by traditional interpretation. Two men in scripture bear the name; the best attested is a prophet. In 2025 it was given to 364 children in the United States, ranking 730. Use is rising. Around 36,600 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Amaziah in Amos 7.
Which Amos?
Two men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Amos
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Amos
son of Naum
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 8 across 2 books
- Bearers
- 2 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Both
- Era
- Divided Kingdom
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 364 | Rising |
| All-time total | 36,600 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 558 in 1922 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | PA | Highest share relative to births |
The same name elsewhere
| Country | Form | Standing | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Amos | rank 730 · 364 in 2025 | Births in year |
| Brazil | AMOS | 3,641 bearers · born 1930–2010 | Living residents |
| Spain | AMOS | 368 bearers · mean age 47.3 | Living residents |
| Portugal | Amós | not on the approved list | IRN approved list |
Not being on Portugal's list is not the same as being forbidden. The list records names approved for registration, and exceptions exist for foreign citizens and for names already used in a family.
Two different questions are shown here. Rows marked births in year count children registered during a period; rows marked living residents count people of every age alive at a census. They answer different questions and are never added together.
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Amos 1:1 |
| Last appears | Luke 3:25 |
| Cross-references | 214 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Amaziah co-occurrence Appears with Amaziah in Amos 7.
- Naggai co-occurrence Appears with Naggai in Luke 3.
- Nahum co-occurrence Appears with Nahum in Luke 3.
- Esli co-occurrence Appears with Esli in Luke 3.
- Mattathias co-occurrence Appears with Mattathias in Luke 3.
- Jeroboam co-occurrence Appears with Jeroboam in Amos 7.
- Tekoa co-occurrence Appears with Tekoa in Amos 1.
- Joash co-occurrence Appears with Joash in Amos 1.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Amo.1.1
§ Amos = "burden"
a prophet of the Lord who prophesied in the northern kingdom; native of Tekoa in Judah near Bethlehem and a shepherd by trade; author of the prophetic book by his name
Amos, a shepherd from Tekoa, called by God as a prophet to Israel.
The biblical story
Amos was a prophet from Tekoa who prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, king of Judah, and Jeroboam, king of Israel (Amo.1.1). He was originally a shepherd and fig grower before being called by God to deliver His message (Amo.7.14-15). Amos prophesied against the sins of Israel, warning them of impending judgment (Amo.7.8; 8.2). His prophecies were met with opposition from Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, who told him to stop prophesying and leave (Amo.7.10-13). However, Amos remained faithful to his calling and continued to proclaim God's word.
Key verses
Amos appears in 7 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
Amos 1:1 -
And the Lord said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:
Amos 7:8 -
Then Amaziah the priest of Beth–el sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.
Amos 7:10 -
For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land.
Amos 7:11 -
Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:
Amos 7:12
Show all 7 references
Amos (7)
- Amos 1:1
- Amos 7:8
- Amos 7:10
- Amos 7:11
- Amos 7:12
- Amos 7:14
- Amos 8:2
Name variants & nicknames
- Amós — Spanish & Portuguese