A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Esmond since 1907
Babies named Esmond per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2023, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Esmond's real moment was 1907.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 10 |
| 1910s | 71 |
| 1920s | 76 |
| 1930s | 29 |
| 1940s | 20 |
| 1950s | 24 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 26 |
| 1980s | 53 |
| 1990s | 35 |
| 2000s | 41 |
| 2010s | 70 |
| 2020s | 52 |
Meaning & origin
Esmond is a rare English name with Old English roots, combining 'est' (grace) and 'mund' (protection) to mean 'protected by grace'. It was first recorded in the U.S. in 1907, which also marked its peak year of usage. After a long period of obscurity, the name has been slowly rising since 1992, though it remains uncommon: as of 2025 it ranked 9,714th nationally, with only about one in every 244,011 babies given the name. Esmond has never been associated with any top states, reflecting its sparse but consistent use across the country. Its revival likely owes something to a taste for old-fashioned, distinguished-sounding names, as well as the literary legacy of Thackeray's 1852 novel. Parents drawn to Esmond often appreciate its precise meaning and its connection to a rich English heritage.
Esmond derives from the Old English elements 'est' (grace, favor) and 'mund' (protection). It was used in medieval England but was revived in the 19th century, partly through literary use. The name appears in William Makepeace Thackeray's novel 'The History of Henry Esmond' (1852).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ez, Monty
Sibling names for Esmond
Names that share Esmond's style, for a brother or sister.
