Emma: Meaning, origin and popularity
Pronounced EM-uh · 2 syllables
Emma means “whole, universal”, from Germanic.
Brought to England by the Normans; short form of compound given names beginning with a Frankish prototheme Ermin- or Irmin- "entire", from Proto-Germanic *ermunaz.
- Meaning
- whole, universal
- Origin
- Germanic
- Pronunciation
- EM-uh
- US rank (2025)
- #3
- US babies a year
- about 14,001 (2021–2025)
- Peak
- around 1880
- Style
- Vintage, Comeback, Literary
How popular is Emma?
Emma was the #3 name in the US in 2025, given to 12,768 babies. It’s used less than it was: down 32% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 1880.
Most popular in Washington, DC (#1), New Jersey (#1), New York (#1), Texas (#1), Utah (#1), Hawaii (#2), Virginia (#2), Alaska (#3).
Around the world
| Country | Rank |
|---|---|
| United States | #3 |
| England & Wales | #60 |
| Scotland | #44 |
| Northern Ireland | #40 |
| Ireland | #29 |
| France | #5 |
| Norway | #1 |
| Canada | #3 |
| Australia | #79 |
How old are people named Emma?
Half of US adults named Emma are older than 24; most are between 18 and 78. (Estimated from US births by year and life tables.)
Sibling names for Emma
Names that real brothers and sisters of people named Emma have, from family records on Wikidata, most common first.
Names like Emma
Chosen by the same families or with a similar style and era.
- Ella
- Amelia
- Caroline
- Sophie
- Adeline
- Adelaide
- Louisa
- Matilda
- Evelina
- Lucy
- Anna
- Julia
- Grace
- Isabelle
- Phoebe
- Charlotte
On these lists
- The most popular girl names in the US
- Vintage girl names
- Comeback girl names
- Literary girl names
- Germanic girl names
- Short baby names (4 letters or fewer)
Questions about Emma
What does the name Emma mean?
Emma means “whole, universal”. It comes from Germanic.
How do you pronounce Emma?
Emma is pronounced EM-uh.
How popular is the name Emma?
Emma was the #3 name in the US in 2025, given to 12,768 babies. It’s used less than it was: down 32% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 1880.
How old are people named Emma?
Half of US adults named Emma are older than 24. Most are between 18 and 78.