Emma

Meaning: whole, universal · Origin: Germanic · Gender: usually a girl's name

Origin & history

Originally a short form of Germanic names beginning with ermen ('whole, great'). Emma of Normandy was twice Queen of England in the 11th century; Jane Austen's novel Emma (1815) made it a literary favourite.

Famous people named Emma

Emma Watson (actor)
Emma Stone (actor)
Emma Thompson (actor)

Nicknames

Em, Emmy

Variants & related names

Ema, Emmi

Emma name art

A free preview of a printable “Emma” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.

Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.

FAQ

What does the name Emma mean?

Emma means “whole, universal”. It comes from Germanic.

Is Emma a popular name?

Yes — Emma has been one of the most popular girls' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.

What are nicknames for Emma?

Em, Emmy.

What are other forms of Emma?

Ema, Emmi.

Similar names

Ella · Alice · Emery · Caroline · Matilda · Harriet

More: names starting with E · all girls' names

Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.