Emma

♂ Boy

Pronounced EM-ah /ˈɛm.ɑ/Medium

Meaning: From Germanic ermen, 'whole, universal'; overwhelmingly a girls' name; here for boys (and a Nigerian short form of Emmanuel, 'God is with us')Low

In 30 seconds: Whole; universal: Emma is Germanic 'whole, universal'. Soft and classic; overwhelmingly a girls' name, here for boys (often a Nigerian Emmanuel short form; said 'EM-ah').

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Origin LowGerman, Yoruba

MeaningFrom Germanic ermen, 'whole, universal'; overwhelmingly a girls' name; here for boys (and a Nigerian short form of Emmanuel, 'God is with us')

U.S. rank (2024)#5710 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births16 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2004

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,718

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Emma comes from the Germanic ermen, 'whole, universal'. It is overwhelmingly a girls' name in the English-speaking world, but in Nigeria and parts of West Africa it is commonly used for boys as a short, affectionate form of Emmanuel, 'God is with us' (Hebrew; routes layered, which we note). Here covered for boys honestly (slug distinguished; said 'EM-ah'; nickname Emmy).

It registers thinly for boys. Rare for boys, whole-and-universal at the root (or 'God is with us'), and soft.

Did you know? Emma means 'whole; universal' (Germanic ermen) — overwhelmingly a girls' name in the West, but used for boys in Nigeria and elsewhere as a short form of Emmanuel, 'God is with us' (which we flag honestly; the routes are layered; said 'EM-ah').

Overall data confidence 50%

Behind the Name — Emma — routes layered

Variations

EmmanuelEmmahEma

Nicknames

Emmy

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Emma…

Emmanuel— the name it often shortens (for boys)

Emre— a sound-neighbor Em- boys' name

Kolbe— lands in the same popularity range

Elric— a similarly popular pick

Earnest— shares Emma's German roots

Explore names like Emma

By themeuncertain unisex german yoruba

By meaningGod / Divine

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Emma mean?

Emma is Germanic 'whole, universal'; for boys (in Nigeria especially) it is a short form of Emmanuel, 'God is with us'.

How do you pronounce Emma?

It's said EM-ah /ˈɛm.ɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Emma a boy or girl name?

Emma is overwhelmingly a girls' name; this page covers its use for boys (often a Nigerian Emmanuel short form).

How popular is Emma?

Emma is very rare for boys in the U.S.