Emma
Peaked at #1 nationally in 2008, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Emma has been recorded >99% of the time for girls and <1% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Emma is a Germanic name from "ermen" or "irmin," meaning "whole" or "universal," carried into England by Emma of Normandy, an 11th-century English and Danish queen. Jane Austen's 1815 novel "Emma" later cemented it as a literary favorite.
Notable people & culture
Emma reached #1 in the U.S. in 2008 and has repeatedly topped the girls' chart since, making it one of the defining names of the early 21st century; actresses Emma Watson, Emma Stone, and Emma Thompson are among its best-known bearers.
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Emma — Girls (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#1
in 2008
Current rank
#2
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1880, Emma reached its peak popularity for girls in 2008, ranking #1 nationally with 18,826 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #1 (2014) to #2 (2024) — a 50% drop.
As of 2024, Emma ranks #2 nationally for girls, with 13,485 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #2 | 13,485 |
| 2023 | #2 | 13,579 |
| 2022 | #2 | 14,498 |
| 2021 | #2 | 15,543 |
| 2020 | #2 | 15,714 |
| 2019 | #2 | 17,221 |
| 2018 | #1 | 18,818 |
| 2017 | #1 | 19,870 |
Emma — Boys (United States)
RisingPeak rank
#466
in 1890
Current rank
#5710
in 2024
Years tracked
121
1880–2024
Trend
Rising
Tracked since 1880, Emma reached its peak popularity for boys in 1890, ranking #466 nationally with 16 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has climbed from #6757 (2014) to #5710 (2024) — a 15% improvement.
As of 2024, Emma ranks #5710 nationally for boys, with 16 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #5,710 | 16 |
| 2023 | #5,517 | 17 |
| 2022 | #5,945 | 15 |
| 2021 | #6,114 | 14 |
| 2020 | #4,906 | 19 |
| 2019 | #7,304 | 11 |
| 2018 | #8,357 | 9 |
| 2017 | #6,129 | 14 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — girls' names only.
Common Questions
When was Emma most popular?
Emma was most popular in 2008, when it ranked #1 nationally for girls — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Emma becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently falling; for boys, it's currently rising, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Emma?
At least 765,264 babies have been recorded with the name Emma in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Emma? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.