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I think Amber is pretty. But the association with Amber Heard quite tarnished it to me. Amber was ranked #13 in 1986, so its equivalent would be Gianna, as Gianna was ranked #13 in 2021.

Ember, if it keeps rising (I think it will).
Like Amber circa 1972.

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Harper, if it stays in the top 50 for another decade.
Like Amber circa 1985.

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In sort of same category IMO:
Hazel and Ruby, except they have more historical use. Autumn, but it rose slower and seems steadier. Phoenix and River, if Amber had been unisex. Oakley, Oaklynn, Willow, Harlow, Wren.

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I think Oaklynn, Wren, Ember, Emma, Harper, Willow as a group is roughly comparable to Ashley, Robin, Amber, Amanda, Heather, Holly, basically...

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Jade had a slower rise plus seems less distinctive to me because it's also commonly a NN for the Jaden name group.

This message was edited 11/8/2022, 8:21 AM

It's amazing how few Ambers I know, considering I was born near Amber's heyday.

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I actually don't mind Amber. I like the sound and I like amber-related things (the gem, the scent, the colour, all nice).

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In terms of trying to choose Amber's modern equivalent, I'd maybe go with Scarlett. Scarlett and Amber have a similar energy and similar fast rise, and I think Scarlett will feel similarly dated in a few decades.

I don't enjoy jewel names, but for the record I knew a boy named Jade whose sister was Amber. A thematic family.

Dislike personally

Don't really like it.

I'm thinking Nova.
Warm sound, naturey, not unprecedented ... the -er ending seemed edgier in the 70s/80s and that's like Nova being unisex now. Also I perceive the usage of Amber to be in a similar demographic to that of Nova.
I would have said Brianna and Summer, but you specified today so it's more of a guess.
I always felt like Amber's popularity evolved from Kimberly's in part, and Kimberly's from Beverly's. So Aubrey and Everly are also candidates in my mind.
My impression of Amber is similar to Heather, Summer, Kimberly, and Brianna.

This message was edited 11/7/2022, 10:56 PM

Jade or maybe Ruby if you're going for 'popular gemstone-type names', but since the tone of Amber is so warm/brown and different from the cool, clear, colorful tones of Jade or Ruby, I'd probably say the equivalent is more like Olivia, Hazel, or Autumn.

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I like Amber, I have a lot of good associations with it and it sounds friendly, warm, and kind of closed-in because of the way your mouth moves when you say it. It's very brown and sweet and also golden, like sunlight shining through honey or molasses (or amber, duh :P). I don't think it's ready to come back quite yet but I'll be happy about it when/if it does.