Emma

Girls

Best rank #1 (2014) · ranked in 18 years

With a peak of #1 in 2014, Emma appeared in the rankings across 2008-2025.

It held near #7 between 2008 and 2025.

As of the latest count (2025), Emma sits at #7.

In 2014, 20,982 babies were given the name Emma.

Emma was most popular around 2014, making it characteristic of the 2010s generation.

Rank by year

11020200820172025
  1. 2025712,768
  2. 2024513,541
  3. 2023513,607
  4. 2022514,527
  5. 2021415,563
  6. 2020415,742
  7. 2019417,237
  8. 2018218,833
  9. 2017119,887
  10. 2016119,568
  11. 2015120,497
  12. 2014120,982
  13. 2013220,991
  14. 2012220,996
  15. 2011518,858
  16. 2010717,383
  17. 2009817,930
  18. 2008718,845

Similar names

If Emma is on your shortlist, Ethan, Elijah, Emily are worth a look too, given the similar sound and comparable popularity trends.

Origin & meaning

Emma derives from the Germanic element ermen or irmin, meaning "whole" or "universal," and was originally a short form of longer Germanic names beginning with that root. It was carried into England by Emma of Normandy, queen consort in the 11th century.

Notable people named Emma

  • Emma Watson - actress known for the Harry Potter film series
  • Emma Stone - Academy Award-winning actress
  • Emma Thompson - Academy Award-winning actress and screenwriter

Emma has ranked among the most popular given names for girls in the United States for much of the 21st century, frequently placing in the top ten on Social Security Administration name lists.

Where Emma is most popular

In 2025, Emma was recorded in 51 of the 51 US jurisdictions the SSA reports on, with 12,754 births nationwide.

The largest share came from Texas at 1,707 births, 13.4% of the national total, where it ranked #5 that year.

By census region the name skews South, which accounts for 41.5% of Emma births, against 17.0% Northeast, 17.5% Midwest, 24.0% West.

State rankings spread more than the national figure suggests: Emma placed as high as #3 in New York and as low as #41 in Maine.

Top states, 2025

  1. 1Texas1,707 · #5 there
  2. 2California1,641 · #11 there
  3. 3Florida986 · #6 there
  4. 4New York774 · #3 there
  5. 5Illinois458 · #9 there

Share by census region

  • Northeast17.0%
  • Midwest17.5%
  • South41.5%
  • West24.0%

Shares are of this name's national total, not of each state's births. SSA withholds any name under 5 occurrences per state and year. Browse all states

Frequently asked questions

Is Emma a popular name?
Emma reached a best rank of #1 in 2014 and has charted in 18 years.
Where does Emma rank now?
In the most recent data (2025), Emma ranks #7.
Is Emma a boy or girl name?
It is recorded primarily as a girls' name.
When was Emma most popular?
Emma peaked around 2014.

Use this chart

Free to republish in articles, newsletters, and posts. Keep the source link with it.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) - Popular Baby Names (national)