The nameElsa

Elsa is a short form of Elizabeth, made famous worldwide by Disney's Frozen.

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.

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Famous people named Elsa

Popularity of the name Elsa

Elsa in the United States

941stmost popular girls' name in the United States in 2024
2014peak year (1,140 births)
30,511babies named Elsa in the United States since 1880
05701,140 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

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

671stmost popular girls' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
2014peak year (580 births)
3,878babies named Elsa in the United Kingdom since 1997
0290580 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

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

145thmost popular girls' name in France, latest official figures
1988peak year (1,500 births)
49,195babies named Elsa in France since 1900
07501,500 1900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Elsa in Belgium

245thmost popular girls' name in Belgium in 2025
2015peak year (151 births)
2,031babies named Elsa in Belgium since 1995
076151 1995200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Belgium. Source: Statbel, names given at least 5 times a year.

Elsa in Switzerland

384thmost popular girls' name in Switzerland in 2025
2015peak year (82 births)
1,118babies named Elsa in Switzerland since 2000
04182 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Switzerland. Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Elsa in Austria

255thmost popular girls' name in Austria in 2025
2016peak year (57 births)
713babies named Elsa in Austria since 1984
02957 198519901995200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Austria. Source: Statistik Austria (until 2009, Austrian nationals only).

Elsa in Norway

136thmost popular girls' name in Norway in 2025
1946peak year (120 births)
2,073babies named Elsa in Norway since 1945
060120 1960198020002020
Births per year in Norway. Source: Statistics Norway (SSB), table 10467.

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.

For a sister

For a brother

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.