Emma is a popular female given name of Germanic origin. It comes from the Old German word "ermen," which means "whole" or "universal." The name was introduced to England by way of the Normans during the Middle Ages and gained popularity through its association with Emma of Normandy, who married King Æthelred the Unready in 1002.
Emma's popularity as a given name has been consistent throughout history. It was one of the top ten female names in England during the late medieval period and remained popular into the modern era. In the United States, Emma ranked among the top five most popular girl's names from 2008 to 2016.
The name Emma is often associated with its diminutive forms such as Emmaline, EmmaLee, or even Mabel (a medieval variant). It also shares a root with other Germanic names like Elmer and Emanual. Despite these variations, the original form of Emma remains the most widely used version of the name.
In literature, Emma is perhaps best known for being the protagonist of Jane Austen's novel "Emma." The character is clever, independent, and well-intentioned but sometimes misguided in her attempts to play matchmaker. This portrayal has contributed significantly to Emma's enduring popularity as a given name.
Overall, Emma is a strong, versatile name with a rich historical background that continues to be beloved by parents around the world. Its meaning, "whole" or "universal," makes it an appealing choice for many families looking for a significant and timeless name for their daughters.
Here are some interesting statistics about the name Emma:
From 1915 to 1968, Emma was consistently among the top 100 baby girl names in the United States, with fluctuations in popularity. However, it dropped out of the top 100 from 1969 to 1972 but regained its spot in 1973 and has remained popular since then.
The peak years for Emma's popularity were between 1985 and 2022. In 1997, Emma became one of the top 10 girl names for the first time since the 1930s, reaching its highest rank at number 6 in 2003. It has remained within the top 10 ever since.
In total, there have been 749,903 births with the name Emma in the United States since record-keeping began in 1880.