Elsa is a female given name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old Norse word "áls", which means "nobility" or "preeminence". It is also related to the Old English word "æls", meaning "elf". The name Elsa has been used throughout history and across different cultures.
One of the most notable figures associated with the name Elsa is Elsa Einstein, the first wife of Albert Einstein. They married in 1903 when Einstein was just beginning his groundbreaking work on physics. Elsa supported her husband both emotionally and financially during this time, allowing him to focus on his scientific pursuits.
Another famous Elsa is Elsa Schiaparelli, an Italian fashion designer who founded her own fashion house in Paris in the 1920s. She was known for her innovative designs and use of bright colors and surreal elements. Her work influenced many other designers and continues to inspire modern fashion today.
The name Elsa has also been used in literature and popular culture. In the classic Norwegian fairy tale "The Snow Queen", the main character is named Gerda, but she is also referred to as Elsa. More recently, the Disney animated film "Frozen" features a princess named Elsa who has the power to create ice and snow.
Overall, the name Elsa carries with it a sense of nobility and preeminence, reflecting its Germanic origins. Throughout history, women named Elsa have made significant contributions in fields such as science, fashion, and literature, leaving lasting impacts on their respective worlds.
Based on the provided statistics, we can observe the trends of the name Elsa in the United States from 1880 to 2023.
From 1880 to around 1950, the number of births named Elsa fluctuated between 20 and 300 annually. The highest point during this period was reached in 1954 with 248 births. This suggests that while Elsa was not extremely popular, it had a consistent presence among baby names throughout most of the early to mid-20th century.
Starting from 1957, we see a steady increase in the popularity of the name Elsa, reaching its peak in 2014 with an impressive 1,140 births. This significant surge can likely be attributed to the release of Disney's "Frozen" movie in 2013, which features the main character Elsa. The impact of popular culture on baby naming trends is well-documented.
Following its peak in 2014, the popularity of the name Elsa has since declined, although it remains relatively common. In recent years, between 2016 and 2023, the number of births named Elsa ranged from 245 to 350 annually. Despite this decline from its peak, these figures still indicate that Elsa is a well-liked name in the United States.
In total, over the span of 1880 to 2023, there were 30,208 births named Elsa in the United States. This demonstrates that while the popularity of the name has varied over time, it has maintained consistent presence among American baby names for well over a century.