Emma Name Meaning

The meaning of the name Emma makes the name perfect for the baby who will be your whole world. It's an English name with roots in an old Germanic word meaning “whole” or “universal.”

The initial popularity of the name Emma in England can be attributed to Emma of Normandy, who married the English kings Aethelred II and Cnut the Great.

The name Emma was also used by well-known English author Jane Austen, who created the character of Emma Woodhouse in her 1815 novel, Emma.

How Popular Is the Name Emma?

From 1880 to 1941, Emma remained in the top 100 names in the US. Then, the popularity of the name Emma steadily declined through the 1970s, before creeping back up. In 1993, it broke back into the top 100.

Classic names made a comeback in the early 2000s, which helped reintroduce the name Emma. After Emma was used in the wildly popular TV show Friends as the name for Rachel and Ross's baby, it propelled to the #2 spot in 2003. The name Emma reached #1 in 2008 before slipping back into the top 3 names.

Emma's hot streak as the most popular girl's name in the US began in 2014, and it stayed in the #1 spot for five straight years. Olivia took the crown in 2019, pushing Emma back to the #2 spot. As of 2023, Emma was the second most popular female baby name in the US.

Name Variations

The most common variations of Emma include:

• Emmalyn (English)
• Ema (Spanish)
• Irma, Ima (German)
• Emmy (Dutch)
  

Similar Names

Other short baby names similar to Emma include:

• Ava
• Anna
• Mila
• Lily
• Mia
• Ella
• Emme
• Ida
• Gemma
• Maya
• Chloe

Other girl names starting with "E" include:

• Emily
• Enid
• Eva
• Everly
• Emerson
• Ember
• Elizabeth
• Evelyn
• Erica
• Eliza
• Elsie
• Elaina

Common Nicknames for Emma

Emma may already be a short name, but that doesn't mean nicknames are off the table. Here are the most common nicknames:

• Emmy: Suggests someone easy-going, empathetic, and easy to talk to. Much like the nickname, Emmy is sweet and fun. She's sensitive and understanding, making her the ideal best friend.
• Em or Ems: Two of the most playful variations that exude friendliness! Your little Em or Ems will be quick-witted, energetic, and full of personality.

Suggested Sibling Names

Looking for names that pair well with Emma? Here are a few to consider for a sibling to an Emma:

• Abigail
• Molly
• Ethan
• Andrew
• Olivia
• Sophie
• Luke
• Noah
• Lucy
• William

Famous People Named Emma

Given the popularity of Emma, you certainly don't have to search far for celebrities who bear the name.

Famous Emmas

• Emma Thompson, British actress and Academy Award winner known for her roles in numerous American films including the Harry Potter franchise, Sense and Sensibility, Howards End, and Love Actually
• Emma Stone, American film actress and two-time Academy Award winner for Best Actress known for her roles in The Help, Crazy, Stupid, Love, LA LA LAND, and Poor Things
• Emma Watson, English actress known for starring in the Harry Potter franchise and the live-action Beauty and the Beast
• Emma Roberts, American actress and niece of legendary actress Julia Roberts, who gained recognition for the Nickelodeon TV show Unfabulous

Fictional Emmas

• Emma Frost, from Marvel's X-Men
• Emma Swan, the protagonist in the TV show Once Upon a Time
• Emma Pillsbury, from the TV musical comedy-drama Glee
• Emma Nelson, from the popular Canadian teen-drama TV series Degrassi
• Emma Geller-Green, the daughter of Ross and Rachel on the TV show Friends