Gender: Primarily feminine
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: “Universal” or “Whole”
Pronunciation: EM-ah
Meaning of the Name Emma
The name Emma has Germanic roots and carries the beautiful meaning of “universal” or “whole.” It’s derived from the ancient Germanic word “ermen” or “irmin,” which relates to wholeness or universality. I’ve always loved how this name manages to be both classic and contemporary at the same time!
Historical Significance of Emma
Emma has quite the impressive history! It was introduced to England by Emma of Normandy, who was queen consort to both King Ethelred II and later King Canute during the 11th century. The name fell out of fashion for centuries but made a remarkable comeback in the late 1700s when Emma Hamilton, the mistress of British naval hero Lord Nelson, brought it back into the spotlight.
In the 19th century, Jane Austen further popularized the name with her novel Emma, published in 1815. It’s amazing how this name has reinvented itself through different eras!
Common Nicknames for Emma
- Em
- Emmy
- Emmie
- Ems
- Emmaline
- Emmi
How Popular Is Emma?
Emma has been incredibly popular in recent decades! It reached the #1 spot on the U.S. baby name charts for several years between 2014 and 2020. While it’s slipped from the very top spot, it remains comfortably in the top 10 names for girls in many English-speaking countries.
The name has enjoyed similar popularity in countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and across much of Europe. It’s one of those rare names that seems to transcend borders and cultures!
Famous People Named Emma
- Emma Watson – British actress known for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films
- Emma Stone – Academy Award-winning American actress
- Emma Thompson – British actress and screenwriter
- Emma Roberts – American actress and daughter of Eric Roberts
- Emma Bunton – British singer and member of the Spice Girls
- Emma Goldman – Influential political activist and writer
Fictional Characters Named Emma
- Emma Woodhouse – The protagonist of Jane Austen’s novel Emma
- Emma Frost – A powerful telepath in the X-Men comics and films
- Emma Swan – The main character in the TV series Once Upon a Time
- Emma Nelson – Character from the Canadian TV series Degrassi
- Emma Pillsbury – Guidance counselor in the TV show Glee
Emma in Literature and Pop Culture
Emma has made numerous appearances in literature and pop culture over the centuries. Most notably, Jane Austen’s novel Emma (1815) centers around the matchmaking exploits of Emma Woodhouse. The novel has inspired numerous adaptations, including the 1996 film starring Gwyneth Paltrow and the 2020 version with Anya Taylor-Joy.
The name also appears in Gustave Flaubert’s classic novel Madame Bovary, where the tragic heroine is named Emma Bovary. In modern culture, Emma has been featured in songs, TV shows, and films across different genres, cementing its place as a timeless cultural reference.
Personality Traits Associated with Emma
People named Emma are often associated with:
- Intelligence and wit
- Independence and self-confidence
- Warmth and friendliness
- Leadership qualities
- Creativity and artistic talents
- Determination and resilience
I’ve known several Emmas over the years, and they’ve all had this amazing mix of warmth and intelligence—there really seems to be something to these associations!
Similar Names to Emma
- Ella
- Emily
- Gemma
- Hannah
- Anna
- Eva
- Emilia
Alternate Spellings for Emma
- Ema
- Emah
- Emmah
- Ehma
- Emme
Pronunciation Variations Around the World
- English: EM-ah
- French: EM-mah (with a softer ‘m’ sound)
- Italian: EHM-mah (with emphasis on the first syllable)
- German: EM-ma (with a slightly clipped ending)
- Spanish: EH-mah (with a softer ‘e’ sound)
Parents Who Like Emma Also Like
- Olivia
- Charlotte
- Sophia
- Ava
- Isabella
- Amelia
- Mia
Baby Name Lists That Include Emma
- Classic Girl Names
- Short and Sweet Names
- Literary-Inspired Names
- Timeless Baby Names
- International Names That Work in Multiple Languages
- Names with Positive Meanings
Emma for Both Genders
While Emma is predominantly used for girls today, historically it has occasionally been used as a nickname for masculine names like Emmanuel or Emmett. In some Scandinavian countries, Einar might use Emma as a nickname. These days, parents looking for a masculine version might consider:
- Emmett
- Emmanuel
- Emerson
- Emrys
Sibling Name Ideas
For a Sister:
- Sophia
- Charlotte
- Olivia
- Isabella
- Grace
For a Brother:
- Henry
- William
- James
- Alexander
- Benjamin
Names with the Same Meaning as Emma
- Imogen (also means “whole” or “complete”)
- Integra (from Latin, meaning “whole”)
- Concordia (meaning “harmony” or “wholeness”)
- Unity (English word name with similar concept)
- Shalom (Hebrew name meaning “peace” or “completeness”)
First Impressions of Emma
Emma typically gives a first impression of someone who is:
- Friendly and approachable
- Intelligent and well-educated
- Classic yet contemporary
- Confident and capable
- Warm and personable
When I meet an Emma, I always expect someone who’s put-together and confident, but also genuinely warm—and I’m rarely disappointed!
Celebrity Babies Named Emma
- Jennifer Morrison and Sebastian Stan named their daughter Emma
- Ross Geller and Rachel Green’s fictional daughter on Friends was named Emma
- Jade Jagger (daughter of Mick Jagger) named her daughter Emma
- Diana Hayden (former Miss World) named her daughter Emma
Songs About Emma
- “Emma” by Hot Chocolate
- “Emma” by The Hotelier
- “Emma” by Imagine Dragons
- “Emma’s Song” by Laura Marling
- “Emma” by Sisters of Mercy
Famous Quotes About Emma
“Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence.” — Jane Austen, Emma
“I have always said it: a woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word [accomplished]; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions.” — Jane Austen, Emma
Emma in Different Languages
- French: Emma
- Spanish: Emma
- German: Emma
- Italian: Emma
- Russian: Эмма (Emma)
- Japanese: エマ (Ema)
- Hebrew: אמה (Emma)
- Korean: 엠마 (Emma)
Name Combinations for Emma
First and Middle Name Combinations:
- Emma Rose
- Emma Claire
- Emma Grace
- Emma Katherine
- Emma Sophia
- Emma Elizabeth
- Emma Josephine
Middle Name for Emma:
- Emma Louise
- Emma Jane
- Emma Victoria
- Emma Catherine
- Emma Margaret
Comments from Parents of Children Named Emma
“We named our daughter Emma because it’s timeless but not old-fashioned. She’s 5 now and the name suits her perfectly—strong, smart, and sweet all at once.”
“I loved that Emma was easy to spell and pronounce in multiple languages since we have family around the world. So far we’ve traveled to 3 countries and everyone gets her name right away!”
“We chose Emma for our daughter because of the meaning—universal. We wanted a name that would work whether she becomes an artist, scientist, or anything in between.”
“The only downside to naming our daughter Emma was discovering three other Emmas in her kindergarten class! But she doesn’t mind—she says it makes her part of a special club.”
“My grandmother was named Emma, so choosing this name was our way of honoring her memory while still giving our daughter a contemporary name.”