Emma

♀ Girl

Pronounced EM-uh /ˈɛm.ə/High

Meaning: Whole; universal; all-encompassingHigh

In 30 seconds: A crisp Germanic classic meaning 'whole' or 'universal.' Beloved by queens and novelists alike, Emma held the #1 U.S. girls' spot for five straight years.

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Origin HighGermanic

MeaningWhole; universal; all-encompassing

U.S. rank (2025)#3 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births12,754 girls (0.79% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2003

Total births (all-time)≈ 776,300

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 derives from the Old High German element ermen or irmin, meaning 'whole' or 'universal.' It was a popular name among Germanic royalty and nobility in the early medieval period, carried by queens of England and Normandy.

Emma was borne by Emma of Normandy (c. 985–1052), queen consort of two English kings. Jane Austen immortalized it in her 1815 novel. After a quiet Victorian period, the name revived dramatically in the late 20th century and topped U.S. girls' charts from 2014 to 2018.

Did you know? Jane Austen's 1815 novel Emma gave the name lasting literary prestige, featuring a witty, headstrong heroine whose name became synonymous with clever independence.

Variations

EmaEmmeIrmaErma

Nicknames

EmEmmy

Famous Bearers

★Emma Thompson (1959–)
British actress and screenwriter, two-time Academy Award winner.
★Emma Watson (1990–)
British actress known for the Harry Potter film series.
★Emma Stone (1988–)
American actress, Academy Award winner for La La Land.

If you like Emma…

Olivia— fellow #1-ranked classic with an elegant feel

Amelia— shares the vintage revival quality and soft sound

Ava— another short, vowel-rich girl's name at the top of charts

Ella— equally crisp two-syllable classic

Evelyn— shares the vintage, literary charm

Frequently Asked

What does the name Emma mean?

Emma comes from Old High German and means 'whole' or 'universal,' originally from the element ermen meaning all-encompassing.

How do you pronounce Emma?

Emma is said EM-uh /ˈɛm.ə/ — two syllables, stress firmly on the first.

Is Emma a boy or girl name?

Emma is used almost exclusively as a girl's name in English-speaking countries.

How popular is Emma?

Emma was the #1 U.S. girls' name from 2014 to 2018 and remains consistently in the top five.