The nameElsa
Elsa is a short form of Elizabeth, made famous worldwide by Disney's Frozen.
- Girl's name
- Hebrew
- Feast day
Meaning
Elsa comes from Elisabeth, Hebrew for "my God is abundance" or "God is my oath".
Origin
Hebrew, through German and Scandinavian.
History
Elsa is the heroine of Wagner's opera Lohengrin. In England and Wales it reached 104th place in 2014, just after Frozen came out.
Elsa in other languages
Elsa is a short form of Elisabeth in German, Italian, Spanish and the Nordic countries. The 2013 film Frozen made it famous with children worldwide.
Did you know?
- The fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli made "shocking pink" her signature colour.
- Elsa Triolet was the first woman to win the Prix Goncourt, awarded in 1945.
Famous people named Elsa
- Elsa Schiaparelli, fashion designer
- Elsa Lanchester, actress
- Elsa Triolet, novelist
- Elsa, queen in Frozen
Popularity of the name Elsa
Elsa in the United States
Elsa was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 5,449 births over the decade, 18% of all recorded babies named Elsa. Its rise began around 1892, and it peaked in 2014. Half of all babies named Elsa in the United States were born before 1976, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 270 births a year on average, against 443 in the five years before.
Elsa in the United Kingdom
Elsa was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 2,367 births over the decade, 61% of all recorded babies named Elsa. Its rise began around 2001, and it peaked in 2014. Half of all babies named Elsa in the United Kingdom were born before 2013, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 68 births a year on average, against 103 in the five years before.
Elsa in France
Elsa in Belgium
Elsa in Switzerland
Elsa in Austria
Elsa in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Elsa
Names from the same generation as Elsa, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Elsa? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Elsa with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Elsa side by side with the name of your choice.
Elsa in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Elsa mean?
Elsa comes from Elisabeth, Hebrew for "my God is abundance" or "God is my oath".
What is the origin of the name Elsa?
Hebrew, through German and Scandinavian.
Is Elsa a girl's or a boy's name?
Elsa is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Elsa?
In 2024, Elsa was the 941st most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 280 births.
What are the variants of the name Elsa?
Variants and related names of Elsa include Bettina, Elisabeth, Elza, Ilsa, Isabelle, Izabella, Liana and Liliana.
What are good sibling names for Elsa?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Anika, Lea, Johanna and Eve for a sister, Eliot, Immanuel, Reuben and Aron for a brother.
Who are famous people named Elsa?
Elsa Schiaparelli, fashion designer; Elsa Lanchester, actress; Elsa Triolet, novelist; Elsa, queen in Frozen.