Emma is a popular given name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old Norse name "Erna," which means "whole" or "universal." It has been widely used throughout Europe and has gained significant popularity in recent years, particularly in English-speaking countries.
The name Emma was first introduced to England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066. It became more widespread with the rise of Empress Matilda (also known as Maude), a claimant to the English throne, who bore this name in the late 12th century. However, it wasn't until the Victorian era that Emma began to appear frequently in birth records.
Emma is often associated with historical figures and notable individuals. Queen Emma of Normandy was the mother of King Harold II of England, and Emma, Lady Hamilton, was a famous mistress of Lord Nelson. In literature, Jane Austen's novel "Emma" features the protagonist Emma Woodhouse, while more recently, Emma Watson gained worldwide recognition as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series.
The name Emma has been consistently popular throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. In England and Wales, it was one of the top ten girls' names every year between 1998 and 2018. It also frequently appears in the Social Security Administration's list of most popular baby names in the United States.
Emma is often paired with various middle names, creating combinations such as Emma Charlotte, Emma Grace, Emma Louise, and Emma Isabella. Some popular nicknames for Emma include Em, Emmy, and Mazz (short for Mazzy).
In summary, Emma is a name with strong Germanic roots that has stood the test of time. With its rich history, numerous notable bearers, and enduring popularity, it remains a popular choice among parents today.
Here are the comments on the statistics concerning the name Emma:
- The name Emma was quite popular during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with a notable spike in popularity around the turn of the century (1899-1903), reaching its peak at 21 births in 1900.
- After World War I, there was another surge in Emma's popularity between 1923 and 1927, with a peak of 25 births in 1927.
- The name's popularity began to decline from the late 1930s onwards. However, it experienced intermittent periods of increased popularity during certain decades (e.g., late 1980s, early-mid 1990s, and late 1990s).
- Emma gained significant traction again in the early 2000s, with a remarkable spike to 37 births in 2003. This popularity has remained relatively steady since then.
- In recent years (2018-2023), the name Emma has continued to be popular, with around 9 to 17 births per year.
- Over the entire period from 1880 to 2023, a total of 1701 girls were named Emma at birth.