Elsa Girl

Popularity: #733 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: EL-sah /ˈɛl.sə/

Origin: Hebrew; German; Scandinavian

Meaning: Hebrew: God is my oath; German: noble; Scandinavian: pledged to God

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Elsa has its roots in the Hebrew name Elisheba, which means "God is my oath." This name was adapted into Greek as Elisabet, which later evolved into the Latin form Elizabeth. The name then made its way into various languages, including Old French, where it became Elise, and ultimately into English as Elsa.

The transition into English occurred during the Middle Ages, influenced by the popularity of the name Elizabeth in various forms across Europe. Historically, the name Elsa has been associated with several notable figures.

One of the most significant is Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, who lived in the 13th century and was known for her charitable works. The name gained further prominence through literary works, such as the character Elsa in the 19th-century opera "Lohengrin" by Richard Wagner, which contributed to its cultural resonance in the arts.

Additionally, the name appears in various translations of the Bible, particularly in the context of Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, which has further solidified its historical significance. Culturally, the name Elsa has been embraced in various traditions and has often been linked to themes of loyalty and faithfulness, reflecting its etymological roots.

The diminutive form, Elsie, has also been used historically, particularly in Scottish contexts, where it became a popular name in its own right. The enduring nature of the name can be attributed to its rich historical background and the positive associations it carries across different cultures and eras.

Famous people named Elsa

In this section, you will find notable people named Elsa. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Elsa who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Elsa who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Elsa Lanchester was an actress best known for Bride of Frankenstein, The Ghost of Frankenstein, and Witness for the Prosecution.

Elsa Pataky is an actress and model best known for Fast Five, Fast & Furious 6, and Thor.

Elsa Schiaparelli was a fashion designer best known for her surrealist designs, the lobster dress, and the tear dress.

Elsa Hosk is a model and actress best known for her work with Victoria's Secret, and her appearances in the 2018 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

Elsa Raven was an actress best known for her roles in Back to the Future, The Twilight Zone, and The Amityville Horror.

Fictional characters named Elsa

The following list of fictional characters named Elsa is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Elsa is a fictional character from the animated film Frozen. She is the Snow Queen of Arendelle, known for her magical ability to create ice and snow.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Elsa, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

AnnaMiaLilaClaraSophieNora

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Elsa. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

EllaAylaIslaLilaElenaAlbaEttaCelia

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Elsa was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Elsa has ranked as high as #601 nationally, which occurred in 2014, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Illinois, and Minnesota.

In the past 5 years the name Elsa has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Elsa is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Elsa was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Elsa.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 216 0 216
2024 281 0 281
2023 247 0 247
2022 264 0 264
2021 276 0 276
2020 284 0 284
2019 350 0 350
2018 305 0 305
2017 425 0 425
2016 477 0 477
2015 658 0 658
2014 1,140 0 1,140
2013 566 0 566
2012 542 0 542
2011 499 0 499
2010 487 0 487
2009 426 0 426
2008 413 0 413
2007 393 0 393
2006 350 0 350
2005 350 0 350
2004 308 0 308
2003 349 0 349
2002 283 0 283
2001 247 0 247
2000 240 0 240
1999 236 0 236
1998 200 0 200
1997 196 0 196
1996 228 0 228
1995 222 0 222
1994 227 0 227
1993 197 0 197
1992 229 0 229
1991 220 0 220
1990 242 0 242
1989 209 0 209
1988 170 0 170
1987 171 0 171
1986 199 0 199
1985 193 0 193
1984 216 0 216
1983 235 0 235
1982 206 0 206
1981 240 0 240
1980 244 0 244
1979 210 0 210
1978 225 0 225
1977 245 0 245
1976 274 5 269
1975 255 0 255
1974 254 0 254
1973 258 5 253
1972 263 0 263
1971 279 0 279
1970 298 0 298
1969 280 0 280
1968 243 0 243
1967 246 0 246
1966 295 0 295
1965 274 0 274
1964 282 0 282
1963 287 0 287
1962 275 0 275
1961 285 0 285
1960 279 0 279
1959 286 6 280
1958 287 0 287
1957 340 0 340
1956 309 0 309
1955 289 0 289
1954 248 0 248
1953 207 0 207
1952 216 0 216
1951 178 0 178
1950 154 0 154
1949 137 0 137
1948 138 0 138
1947 134 0 134
1946 113 0 113
1945 126 0 126
1944 119 0 119
1943 139 0 139
1942 136 0 136
1941 142 0 142
1940 122 0 122
1939 151 0 151
1938 125 0 125
1937 129 0 129
1936 130 0 130
1935 113 0 113
1934 110 0 110
1933 124 0 124
1932 130 0 130
1931 140 0 140
1930 137 0 137
1929 128 0 128
1928 158 0 158
1927 138 0 138
1926 136 0 136
1925 141 0 141
1924 145 5 140
1923 138 0 138
1922 149 0 149
1921 154 0 154
1920 184 0 184
1919 169 0 169
1918 173 0 173
1917 198 0 198
1916 201 0 201
1915 237 0 237
1914 166 0 166
1913 131 0 131
1912 120 0 120
1911 103 0 103
1910 80 0 80
1909 77 0 77
1908 93 0 93
1907 86 0 86
1906 84 0 84
1905 75 0 75
1904 75 0 75
1903 87 0 87
1902 91 0 91
1901 94 0 94
1900 102 0 102
1899 90 0 90
1898 111 0 111
1897 128 0 128
1896 129 0 129
1895 160 0 160
1894 137 0 137
1893 104 0 104
1892 142 0 142
1891 102 0 102
1890 106 0 106
1889 104 0 104
1888 87 0 87
1887 61 0 61
1886 59 0 59
1885 66 0 66
1884 51 0 51
1883 35 0 35
1882 29 0 29
1881 25 0 25
1880 20 0 20

Top States for Elsa (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 45
21%
TX 35
16%
FL 21
10%
NY 20
9%
NJ 11
5%
IL 10
5%
WA 9
4%
OH 8
4%
AZ 7
3%
MA 7
3%
VA 7
3%
MD 7
3%
MN 6
3%
WI 6
3%
GA 6
3%
IA 6
3%
SC 5
2%