Essa Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ESS-uh /ˈɛsə/
Origin: Arabic; Hebrew
Meaning: Arabic: 'gift'; Hebrew: 'God's salvation'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Essa has its roots in the Arabic language, derived from the name Isa, which is the Arabic form of Jesus. The etymology can be traced back to the Hebrew name Yeshua, meaning 'salvation' or 'to save.' This name transitioned through various linguistic forms, moving from Hebrew to Greek as Iesous, and then into Latin as Iesus before being adapted into Arabic as Isa.
The name Essa, therefore, reflects a significant historical and linguistic journey, ultimately entering English through translations of the Bible and the influence of Arabic culture. Historically, the name Isa is prominent in Islamic tradition, where Jesus is regarded as a prophet.
This significance is particularly noted in the Quran, which mentions Isa multiple times, emphasizing his role in the religious narrative. The name's association with Jesus has made it a symbol of faith and salvation across various cultures.
In the context of Christianity, the name Yeshua became widely recognized through the New Testament, particularly in the King James Bible published in 1611, which solidified the name's importance in Christian texts. Culturally, the name Essa carries connotations of spiritual significance and reverence, often associated with themes of redemption and hope.
In many cultures, names derived from religious figures are imbued with a sense of legacy and tradition, contributing to their endurance over centuries. The name's variations, such as Isa and Yeshua, highlight its adaptability across different languages and cultures, reinforcing its lasting impact in both religious and secular contexts.
Famous people named Essa
In this section, you will find notable people named Essa. 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 Essa who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Essa 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.
Essa Al-Ghurair is a businessman best known for his leadership in the Al-Ghurair Group.
Essa M. Al-Saleh is a CEO best known for his role at Agility Logistics.
Essa R. Al-Mansoori is a scientist best known for his research in the field of renewable energy.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Essa, 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 Essa. 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 Essa was first seen in the United States in 1885.
Essa has ranked as high as #4469 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in New York, Texas, California, Michigan, and Virginia.
In the past 5 years the name Essa has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Essa 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 Essa 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 Essa.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 61 | 51 | 10 |
| 2024 | 46 | 39 | 7 |
| 2023 | 63 | 48 | 15 |
| 2022 | 71 | 57 | 14 |
| 2021 | 48 | 35 | 13 |
| 2020 | 45 | 34 | 11 |
| 2019 | 64 | 54 | 10 |
| 2018 | 47 | 35 | 12 |
| 2017 | 60 | 45 | 15 |
| 2016 | 35 | 35 | 0 |
| 2015 | 40 | 33 | 7 |
| 2014 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 2013 | 29 | 24 | 5 |
| 2012 | 31 | 21 | 10 |
| 2011 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 2010 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 2009 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 2008 | 20 | 15 | 5 |
| 2007 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2006 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 2005 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 2004 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 2003 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 2002 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 2001 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 2000 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1999 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1998 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1997 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1994 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1993 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1991 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1990 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1989 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1983 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1978 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1947 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1928 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1927 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1926 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1925 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1923 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1922 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1920 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1919 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1917 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1912 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1900 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1896 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1891 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1888 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1885 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Top States for Essa (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 | 7 | |
| MI | 5 |