Esper

♀ Girl

Pronounced ES-pur /ˈɛs.pər/High

Meaning: Esper reads as a hope word: it sits on the same root as French esperer and Latin sperare, 'to hope', the root behind Esperanza and Esperance. Separately, 'esper' is a modern science-fiction and gaming term for a person with psychic powers. It reads as unisex, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A crisp two-beat hope name: Esper sits on the root of esperer, 'to hope' (said 'ES-pur'). It reads unisex, which we note.

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Origin LowFrench, English

MeaningEsper reads as a hope word: it sits on the same root as French esperer and Latin sperare, 'to hope', the root behind Esperanza and Esperance. Separately, 'esper' is a modern science-fiction and gaming term for a person with psychic powers. It reads as unisex, which we note.

U.S. rank (2024)#15977 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2017

Total births (all-time)≈ 16

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

Esper is a short, modern name resting on the Latin sperare and French esperer, 'to hope' — the root behind Esperanza, Esperance and the word 'prosper'. It has a second, quite separate life as a science-fiction and gaming term for someone with psychic abilities, which some families will hear first. It reads as unisex, and we note that plainly (said 'ES-pur').

It is very rare in the U.S. and newly emerging. Crisp, hopeful, and modern.

Did you know? Esper carries the root of 'to hope' — the same one behind Esperanza — and in science fiction and gaming an 'esper' is a person with psychic powers. Both readings are live, and it reads unisex, which we note (said 'ES-pur').

Overall data confidence 36%

References — Esper — hope root (sperare/esperer); modern sf/gaming term

Variations

EsperanceEsperanzaEspen

Nicknames

EssEspy

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Esper…

Esperanza— the Spanish hope-name on the same root

Hope— the virtue at the heart of the name

Ember— a like short, striking pick

Ellery— a similar crisp unisex choice

Explore names like Esper

By thememodern unisex short virtue

By meaningHope

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Esper mean?

Esper rests on the root of French esperer and Latin sperare, 'to hope' — the root behind Esperanza. It is also a science-fiction term for a psychic.

How do you pronounce Esper?

It's said ES-pur /ˈɛs.pər/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Esper a boy or girl name?

Esper reads as unisex; it is used here for a girl, which we note plainly.

How popular is Esper?

Esper is very rare in the U.S. and newly emerging.