Ames is a proper noun and can refer to several things like a city in Iowa, USA, a company that manufactures tools, and a surname. However, several words have similar meanings to Ames. An alternative to refer to a place could be town, city or village, among others. If you are using it as a company name, you could use manufacturer, producer, or industry leader. Also, if you are looking at it as a surname, you could consider alternatives like Smith, Johnson, Brown, or any other commonly used surnames. In summary, there are various words that have similar meanings to Ames, and selecting the right one depends on the context you are using them.