Girl · 2nd of 30,306
Emma
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
765,264
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2003
Peak Popularity Year
22,756
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Emma stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Emma is a name of Germanic origin meaning 'whole' or 'universal'. It evolved from historical forms such as Ema and Emm. The name gained significant popularity in the 19th century, particularly due to its use in literature. It is seen as a classic name with positive traits. There is no biblical relevance associated with the name.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɛm.ə/
Origin
Germanic
Etymology
The name Emma is derived from the Germanic word 'ermen', meaning 'whole' or 'universal'. It was popularized in the 19th century by literature.
Meaning
Whole, universal
Language Evolution
Ema, Emm, Emma
Historical Usage
Emma gained popularity in the early 19th century, particularly after the publication of Jane Austen's novel 'Emma' in 1815.
Variants & Derivatives
Em, Emmie, Emmaline, Emmalyn
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Emma is regarded as a classic and timeless name, often associated with kindness and beauty.
Famous People
Emma Watson, Emma Stone, Emma Roberts
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Consistently Rising
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 22,756 peak births in 2003
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1554th of 7545 | 364 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1683rd of 6773 | 328 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3618th of 7552 | 93 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 7574th of 10718 | 21 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 6333rd of 16616 | 95 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 3691st of 24088 | 404 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 6021st of 23106 | 173 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 42nd of 9107 | 101,618 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 96th of 9204 | 52,320 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 215th of 12526 | 27,082 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 428th of 19264 | 8,030 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 126th of 27321 | 38,157 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 3rd of 35406 | 268,499 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2nd of 30306 | 210,689 |