Emma is a female given name of Germanic origin. It is derived from the Old German words "ermen" and "heim", which together mean "home ruler". The name Emma has been popular for centuries, with its earliest known use dating back to the Middle Ages.
In the 10th century, Emma was a very popular name among the Anglo-Saxons. One of the most notable bearers of this name was Emma of Normandy, who became the queen consort of both King Æthelred the Unready and King Cnut the Great in England. She is often referred to as "Emma the Daughter of Richard" or "Emma of Normandy".
The name Emma also has ties to Scandinavia. In Norway, Emma was a popular name among the royal family. Several queens and princesses named Emma have ruled over Norway throughout history.
In recent years, Emma has become a popular choice for baby girls in many English-speaking countries. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, Emma has been one of the top 10 most popular names for newborn girls since 2008.
Overall, Emma is a name with a rich history and a strong connection to power and leadership. Its meaning, "home ruler", reflects its Germanic origins and association with powerful women throughout history.
The name Emma has been quite popular in the United States over the past century and a half, with a total of 1701 births recorded since 1880. The popularity of the name has fluctuated over time, but it has consistently remained among the top names chosen for baby girls.
In the late 19th to early 20th centuries, the number of Emma births ranged from a low of 5 in some years to a high of 37 in others. The name reached its peak popularity during the 19th century, with over 20 births recorded in most years between 1880 and 1900.
The name Emma experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent decades, with over 100 births recorded annually since 2004. In fact, Emma was the second most popular name for baby girls in the United States in 2008, with 20 births recorded that year alone.
Overall, these statistics show that Emma has been a consistently popular choice for parents naming their daughters in the United States over time. While its popularity may have ebbed and flowed over the years, Emma remains a timeless and beloved name for baby girls.