Declining since 1999, #373 for girls today.
Popularity of Esmeralda since 1911
Babies named Esmeralda per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 28 |
| 1920s | 97 |
| 1930s | 112 |
| 1940s | 336 |
| 1950s | 1,092 |
| 1960s | 1,615 |
| 1970s | 3,898 |
| 1980s | 4,783 |
| 1990s | 10,288 |
| 2000s | 15,479 |
| 2010s | 8,879 |
| 2020s | 4,964 |
Meaning & origin
Esmeralda saw its first recorded U.S. use in 1911 and reached a peak rank in 1998, likely influenced by popular culture. Since 1999 its usage has been gradually falling; by 2025 it ranks 373rd with about 1 in every 1,953 newborn girls receiving the name. The name is most popular in states with large Hispanic populations, including Nevada, Arizona, and Nebraska. Its literary pedigree from Hugo's novel gives it a romantic, worldly aura that appeals to parents seeking a distinctive yet familiar Spanish-origin name.
Esmeralda derives from the Spanish and Portuguese word for 'emerald,' itself from Latin 'smaragdus' via Greek 'smaragdos.' The name first appeared in literary usage in Victor Hugo's 1831 novel 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,' where the Romani dancer Esmeralda is the central heroine. It gained modest popularity in Spanish-speaking and French-influenced cultures, particularly in the latter half of the 20th century.
Where Esmeralda is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Esmeralda” around the world
Where Esmeralda lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
35
babies in 2024
Quebec
5
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ezzy, Esme, Era
Variants: Emerald
Sibling names for Esmeralda
Names that share Esmeralda's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Esmeralda
Names whose popularity has moved with Esmeralda's over the last 50 years.
