A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Esma since 1890
Babies named Esma per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2019, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Esma's real moment was 1890.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 34 |
| 1900s | 59 |
| 1910s | 122 |
| 1920s | 131 |
| 1930s | 33 |
| 1940s | 7 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 6 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 18 |
| 2000s | 93 |
| 2010s | 237 |
| 2020s | 175 |
Meaning & origin
Esma is a name that has seen a steady revival in recent decades. First recorded in the U.S. in 1890, it reached a peak rank of 5,238 in 2025, with 1 in 66,969 newborns given the name that year. Its trajectory has been rising since 1997, reflecting renewed interest in short, international-sounding names. The name's origins are debated, possibly from Arabic meaning 'esteemed' or as a Turkish variant of Esme. While not strongly associated with any particular U.S. state, Esma carries a global appeal, beloved by families drawn to its soft sound and multicultural roots.
Esma is a name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from the Arabic 'ismā', meaning 'esteem' or 'high status', or it could be a Turkish variant of Esme, itself of Persian origin meaning 'kind, compassionate'. The name has been used in Turkey and among Arabic-speaking populations.
“Esma” around the world
Where Esma lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
155
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Essie
Sibling names for Esma
Names that share Esma's style, for a brother or sister.
