Esme Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: EZ-may //ˈɛz.meɪ//
Origin: French; Spanish
Meaning: French: beloved; Spanish: esteemed
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Esme has its roots in the Old French word "esmer," which means "to esteem" or "to love." This term evolved from the Latin "aestimare," which carries a similar meaning of valuing or appreciating. The name entered the English language during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when French became the language of the English court and aristocracy.
As a result, Esme emerged as a feminine given name in England, often associated with nobility and affection due to its etymological connections to esteem and love. Historically, the name Esme is notably linked to the Scottish noble family of the Earls of Arran, particularly through Esmé Stewart, who was a prominent figure in the late 16th century.
He was a cousin of King James VI of Scotland and was granted the title of Earl of Lennox. Esmé Stewart's influence at court and his close relationship with the king helped to popularize the name in Scotland and beyond.
Additionally, the name appears in literature, notably in the works of Sir Walter Scott in the 19th century, further embedding it in the cultural fabric of the time. Culturally, Esme has been associated with themes of affection and esteem, reflecting its etymological origins.
The name's gentle sound and meaning have contributed to its resonance in various literary and artistic contexts. In some traditions, diminutive forms like "Essie" have emerged, though Esme itself remains the more recognized form.
The name's enduring appeal can be attributed to its historical significance and the positive connotations of love and value that it embodies.
Famous people named Esme
In this section, you will find notable people named Esme. 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 Esme who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Esme 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.
Esme Bianco is an actress best known for Game of Thrones, The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption, and The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power.
Esme Patterson is a singer-songwriter best known for her work with the band Paper Bird and her solo albums including All Princes, I and We Were Wild.
Fictional characters named Esme
The following list of fictional characters named Esme 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.
Esme Weatherwax is a fictional character from the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. She is a powerful and wise witch known for her strong will and no-nonsense attitude.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Esme, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Esme. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Esme was first seen in the United States in 1913.
Esme has ranked as high as #573 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Minnesota, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Esme has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Esme 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 Esme was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Esme (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 125 | |
| NY | 70 | |
| FL | 55 | |
| TX | 54 | |
| PA | 40 | |
| WA | 35 | |
| OH | 33 | |
| NJ | 29 | |
| MN | 28 | |
| NC | 27 | |
| IL | 27 | |
| AZ | 26 | |
| CO | 23 | |
| WI | 20 | |
| MA | 19 |
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 Esme.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 901 |
| 2023 | 950 |
| 2022 | 1,052 |
| 2021 | 826 |
| 2020 | 787 |
| 2019 | 744 |
| 2018 | 565 |
| 2017 | 513 |
| 2016 | 431 |
| 2015 | 419 |
| 2014 | 342 |
| 2013 | 274 |
| 2012 | 260 |
| 2011 | 262 |
| 2010 | 280 |
| 2009 | 240 |
| 2008 | 154 |
| 2007 | 106 |
| 2006 | 105 |
| 2005 | 68 |
| 2004 | 75 |
| 2003 | 76 |
| 2002 | 67 |
| 2001 | 42 |
| 2000 | 35 |
| 1999 | 45 |
| 1998 | 29 |
| 1997 | 22 |
| 1996 | 19 |
| 1995 | 18 |
| 1994 | 19 |
| 1993 | 15 |
| 1992 | 7 |
| 1991 | 8 |
| 1990 | 7 |
| 1989 | 5 |
| 1988 | 8 |
| 1987 | 8 |
| 1986 | 9 |
| 1985 | 5 |
| 1984 | 5 |
| 1983 | 6 |
| 1982 | 8 |
| 1981 | 16 |
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1976 | 6 |
| 1975 | 6 |
| 1971 | 5 |
| 1961 | 5 |
| 1953 | 5 |
| 1939 | 5 |
| 1913 | 5 |