The nameEma

Ema is a short form of Emma used in Central Europe, Spain and Japan.

Girl's name
Germanic or Japanese

Meaning

Ema is a form of Emma, from the Germanic ermen, "whole, universal". In Japanese it can mean "picture" or "love".

Origin

Germanic or Japanese.

History

In England and Wales Ema reached 593rd in 2017.

Popularity of the name Ema

Ema in the United States

1560thmost popular girls' name in the United States in 2024

2011peak year (161 births)

4,693babies named Ema in the United States since 1880

Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Ema was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 1,424 births over the decade, 30% of all recorded babies named Ema. Its rise began around 1915, and it peaked in 2011. Half of all babies named Ema in the United States were born before 2008, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 137 births a year.

Ema in the United Kingdom

1015thmost popular girls' name in the United Kingdom in 2025

2017peak year (75 births)

1,041babies named Ema in the United Kingdom since 1997

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.

Ema was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 556 births over the decade, 53% of all recorded babies named Ema. Its rise began around 2000, and it peaked in 2017. Half of all babies named Ema in the United Kingdom were born before 2016, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 49 births a year on average, against 58 in the five years before.

Ema in France

561stmost popular girls' name in France, latest official figures

2010peak year (370 births)

6,295babies named Ema in France since 1900

Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Ema in Switzerland

183rdmost popular girls' name in Switzerland in 2025

2018peak year (64 births)

988babies named Ema in Switzerland since 2000

Births per year in Switzerland. Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Ema in Austria

209thmost popular girls' name in Austria in 2025

2024peak year (59 births)

654babies named Ema in Austria since 1984

Births per year in Austria. Source: Statistik Austria (until 2009, Austrian nationals only).

Variants and related names

Emma

Sibling names for Ema

Names from the same generation as Ema, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Ema? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Ema in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Ema mean?

Ema is a form of Emma, from the Germanic ermen, "whole, universal". In Japanese it can mean "picture" or "love".

What is the origin of the name Ema?

Germanic or Japanese.

Is Ema a girl's or a boy's name?

Ema is a girl's name.

How popular is the name Ema?

In 2024, Ema was the 1560th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 136 births.

What are the variants of the name Ema?

Variants and related names of Ema include Emma.

What are good sibling names for Ema?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Amelie, Geraldine, Linnea and Emeline for a sister, Alonso, Lenny, Konrad and Henri for a brother.