Emma Girl

Popularity: #3 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: EM-uh /ˈɛm.ə/

Origin: German; Latin; English

Meaning: Universal; whole; all

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Emma has its roots in the Germanic word "ermen," meaning "whole" or "universal." This term was adopted into Old French as "Aima" or "Emme," which eventually made its way into Middle English. The name gained popularity in England after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, where it was used in various forms, including "Emmeline" and "Emm".

The transition into modern English solidified the name as "Emma" by the 19th century, particularly through literary influences. Historically, Emma has been borne by several notable figures, including Emma of Normandy, who was the queen consort of both Æthelred the Unready and Cnut in the early 11th century.

Her prominence in the royal lineage helped to establish the name within English nobility. Additionally, the name appears in literature, most famously in Jane Austen's novel "Emma," published in 1815, which contributed to its cultural significance and literary associations.

The character of Emma Woodhouse embodies traits of intelligence and social awareness, further enriching the name's historical context. Culturally, the name Emma has been associated with notions of strength and femininity, often reflecting the qualities of the women who bore it throughout history.

Its use in various royal and noble families across Europe has lent it an air of dignity and grace. The name has also seen variations and diminutives, such as "Emmy" or "Em," which have been used affectionately in different cultures.

Overall, Emma's enduring legacy is marked by its linguistic evolution, historical significance, and cultural resonance, making it a name rich in heritage.

Famous people named Emma

In this section, you will find notable people named Emma. 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 Emma who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Emma 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.

Emma Watson is an actress and activist best known for the Harry Potter series, Beauty and the Beast, and Little Women.

Emma Stone is an actress best known for La La Land, Easy A, and The Favourite.

Emma Roberts is an actress best known for American Horror Story, Scream Queens, and We're the Millers.

Emma Thompson is an actress and screenwriter best known for Sense and Sensibility, Love Actually, and Nanny McPhee.

Emma Bunton is a singer and television presenter best known as a member of the Spice Girls and for her solo music career.

Emma Corrin is an actress best known for The Crown and My Policeman.

Emma Chamberlain is a social media influencer and YouTuber best known for her vlogs and lifestyle content.

Fictional characters named Emma

The following list of fictional characters named Emma 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.

Emma Woodhouse is a fictional character from the novel Emma by Jane Austen. She is a wealthy young woman who enjoys matchmaking but learns valuable lessons about love and self-awareness throughout the story.

Emma Swan is a fictional character from the TV series Once Upon a Time. She is the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, and she plays a crucial role in breaking a curse that affects the fairy tale characters.

Sibling suggestions

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

EllaEthanEvelynEliEmilyEvan

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Emma. 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.

EmeryEmmalineEmmettEmoryEmiliaMiaAmeliaMabel

U.S. Historical Usage

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

Emma has ranked as high as #6 nationally, which occurred in 2003, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Emma 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 Emma 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 Emma.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 12,768 14 12,754
2024 13,541 17 13,524
2023 13,607 17 13,590
2022 14,527 15 14,512
2021 15,563 14 15,549
2020 15,742 19 15,723
2019 17,237 11 17,226
2018 18,833 9 18,824
2017 19,887 14 19,873
2016 19,568 18 19,550
2015 20,497 10 20,487
2014 20,982 12 20,970
2013 20,991 18 20,973
2012 20,996 20 20,976
2011 18,858 33 18,825
2010 17,383 17 17,366
2009 17,930 20 17,910
2008 18,845 15 18,830
2007 18,411 21 18,390
2006 19,155 22 19,133
2005 20,398 36 20,362
2004 21,727 102 21,625
2003 22,756 37 22,719
2002 16,573 15 16,558
2001 13,341 14 13,327
2000 12,575 15 12,560
1999 11,768 17 11,751
1998 10,462 11 10,451
1997 7,758 9 7,749
1996 6,157 6 6,151
1995 5,055 5 5,050
1994 4,770 5 4,765
1993 4,116 8 4,108
1992 3,212 0 3,212
1991 2,595 0 2,595
1990 2,429 9 2,420
1989 1,956 18 1,938
1988 1,806 11 1,795
1987 1,598 9 1,589
1986 1,264 5 1,259
1985 947 0 947
1984 685 7 678
1983 558 7 551
1982 565 5 560
1981 534 0 534
1980 530 0 530
1979 493 5 488
1978 442 0 442
1977 479 0 479
1976 414 0 414
1975 477 0 477
1974 490 0 490
1973 425 6 419
1972 453 0 453
1971 479 5 474
1970 529 0 529
1969 516 0 516
1968 499 5 494
1967 564 0 564
1966 619 0 619
1965 640 0 640
1964 770 0 770
1963 729 5 724
1962 806 8 798
1961 892 0 892
1960 976 0 976
1959 1,061 5 1,056
1958 1,084 0 1,084
1957 1,222 5 1,217
1956 1,347 7 1,340
1955 1,465 5 1,460
1954 1,537 7 1,530
1953 1,600 10 1,590
1952 1,709 0 1,709
1951 1,731 0 1,731
1950 1,901 5 1,896
1949 2,008 9 1,999
1948 2,105 6 2,099
1947 2,152 11 2,141
1946 2,080 10 2,070
1945 2,058 6 2,052
1944 2,260 13 2,247
1943 2,427 5 2,422
1942 2,623 17 2,606
1941 2,560 14 2,546
1940 2,628 22 2,606
1939 2,701 16 2,685
1938 2,688 18 2,670
1937 2,768 18 2,750
1936 2,846 15 2,831
1935 2,822 20 2,802
1934 2,967 27 2,940
1933 3,181 29 3,152
1932 3,349 19 3,330
1931 3,331 24 3,307
1930 3,577 22 3,555
1929 3,826 23 3,803
1928 4,037 20 4,017
1927 4,352 25 4,327
1926 4,503 23 4,480
1925 4,733 19 4,714
1924 4,920 23 4,897
1923 4,998 21 4,977
1922 5,029 16 5,013
1921 5,084 12 5,072
1920 5,248 10 5,238
1919 5,099 12 5,087
1918 5,343 19 5,324
1917 5,136 15 5,121
1916 5,234 17 5,217
1915 5,068 24 5,044
1914 3,983 11 3,972
1913 3,485 11 3,474
1912 3,367 10 3,357
1911 2,624 8 2,616
1910 2,624 17 2,607
1909 2,343 5 2,338
1908 2,357 0 2,357
1907 2,367 11 2,356
1906 2,232 8 2,224
1905 2,304 6 2,298
1904 2,324 12 2,312
1903 2,318 10 2,308
1902 2,525 11 2,514
1901 2,382 8 2,374
1900 3,116 21 3,095
1899 2,455 10 2,445
1898 2,796 8 2,788
1897 2,698 0 2,698
1896 2,883 11 2,872
1895 2,964 12 2,952
1894 2,952 15 2,937
1893 2,982 14 2,968
1892 3,140 12 3,128
1891 2,897 13 2,884
1890 2,996 16 2,980
1889 2,894 10 2,884
1888 3,104 17 3,087
1887 2,661 14 2,647
1886 2,775 11 2,764
1885 2,742 14 2,728
1884 2,596 9 2,587
1883 2,374 7 2,367
1882 2,310 7 2,303
1881 2,043 9 2,034
1880 2,013 10 2,003

Top States for Emma (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 1,833
14%
TX 1,754
13%
FL 1,084
8%
NY 830
6%
PA 460
3%
NJ 456
3%
IL 447
3%
NC 425
3%
GA 396
3%
OH 353
3%
VA 348
3%
AZ 326
2%
MI 313
2%
MA 294
2%
TN 274
2%
WA 268
2%
IN 248
2%
CO 229
2%
MD 207
2%
MN 206
2%
WI 201
1%
MO 197
1%
UT 175
1%
SC 174
1%
AL 165
1%
KY 153
1%
CT 152
1%
OR 132
1%
KS 131
1%
OK 125
1%
LA 120
1%
AR 104
1%
IA 104
1%
NV 96
1%
NM 72
1%
NE 68
1%
MS 62
0%
WV 55
0%
ID 53
0%
NH 47
0%
RI 42
0%
DE 38
0%
HI 38
0%
ME 37
0%
SD 36
0%
DC 35
0%
MT 31
0%
ND 28
0%
AK 27
0%
WY 19
0%
VT 17
0%