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Essa

♂ Boy

Pronounced ES-uh /ˈɛsə/High

Meaning: God is salvation; Arabic equivalent of the name Jesus or Joshua, derived from Hebrew YeshuaHigh

In 30 seconds: Essa is the Arabic form of Jesus (from Hebrew Yeshua, 'God is salvation'). Widely used across the Muslim world and among Arab Christians, it carries deep spiritual resonance with a beautifully simple, two-syllable sound.
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Origin HighArabic, Hebrew
MeaningGod is salvation; Arabic equivalent of the name Jesus or Joshua, derived from Hebrew Yeshua
U.S. rank (2024)#3169 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births38 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)≈ 708

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202219782024

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

History & Origin

Essa is an Arabic variant spelling of Isa, the Arabic rendering of Jesus derived from the Aramaic Yeshu and ultimately Hebrew Yeshua ('YHWH saves'). The name has been used across the Islamic world since the early centuries of Islam and is also common among Arab and South Asian Christians who prefer the vernacular Arabic form of the name.

In the diaspora, Essa appears on birth registers in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and parts of the Arab world as well as among immigrant communities in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. Its brevity and softness make it an accessible cross-cultural choice.

Did you know? In the Quran, Isa (of which Essa is a variant) is one of the most venerated prophets — he is mentioned 25 times, more than the Prophet Muhammad in some counts.
Overall data confidence 91%
Behind the Name — Isa — Etymology and Arabic-Islamic origin of the nameQuran — Surah Al-Imran — Quranic references to the prophet Isa

Variations

IsaEisaIssa

Nicknames

Es

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If you like Essa…

Isa— direct alternate spelling of the same Arabic-Islamic name
Issa— doubled-s variant popular in West Africa and the Arab world
Eisa— Gulf-region variant spelling of the same name
Yusuf— fellow Arabic Quranic prophet name widely used in Muslim communities

Frequently Asked

What does the name Essa mean?

Essa is the Arabic form of Jesus, meaning 'God is salvation,' derived from the Hebrew name Yeshua. It is widely used in Muslim and Arab Christian communities.

How do you pronounce Essa?

Essa is pronounced ES-uh /ˈɛsə/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Essa a boy or girl name?

Essa is used primarily as a boy's name across Arabic-speaking and South Asian Muslim communities.

How popular is Essa?

Essa is common in Muslim communities worldwide, particularly in Pakistan, the UK, and Arab countries, though it remains relatively rare on mainstream Western baby name charts.