Home › Baby Names Directory › Esme

Esme

♀ Girl

Pronounced EZ-may /ˈɛzmeɪ/High

Meaning: Beloved, esteemed; highly regardedHigh

In 30 seconds: A jewel of a French name meaning 'beloved.' Esme is whisper-soft and quietly magnificent — the kind of name that makes everyone stop and ask where you found it, even though it has been here all along.
💕 Browse more names
Origin HighFrench, Persian
MeaningBeloved, esteemed; highly regarded
U.S. rank (2025)#298 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births1,032 girls (0.06% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)≈ 10,907

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202219132025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Esme (also spelled Esmé) is a French name from the past participle of the Old French verb esmer (to esteem, to love), meaning 'beloved' or 'esteemed.' Some scholars also trace a connection to the Persian esm (name) through Arabic influence, but the French derivation is primary. The name was used in Scotland from the 16th century — Esmé Stuart, 1st Duke of Lennox (c. 1542–1583), was a favourite of King James VI.

After centuries of relative obscurity, Esme experienced a major revival in the 21st century, boosted in part by the character Esme Cullen in the Twilight series. It entered the U.S. top 200 for girls and has been climbing strongly, loved for its combination of rarity and accessibility.

Did you know? J.D. Salinger wrote a short story titled For Esme — with Love and Squalor (1950), one of his most celebrated works — bringing the name to literary attention decades before the Twilight franchise made it fashionable again.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name — Esme — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

EsméEsmeeEsmay

Nicknames

Ez

Famous Bearers

  • ★Esme Cullen (Twilight) (2005)
    Fictional character in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series who brought the name to wide popular attention.

If you like Esme…

Sylvie— French-origin two-syllable name in the same understated, quietly chic register
Margot— French vintage name with the same quietly sophisticated minimal beauty
Cleo— two-syllable name with the same rare, jewel-like quality and literary cool
Imogen— literary name with the same rare, whisper-soft, unforgettable quality

Frequently Asked

What does the name Esme mean?

Esme is a French name meaning 'beloved' or 'esteemed,' from the Old French esmer (to love, to esteem).

How do you pronounce Esme?

It is said EZ-may /ˈɛzmeɪ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Esme a boy or girl name?

Esme is used predominantly as a girls' name today, though it was historically also used for boys in Scotland.

How popular is Esme?

Esme entered the U.S. top 200 for girls in the 2010s and continues to climb.