"esteemed, valued"
Origin: Old French from Latin
Language: French
Esmee
Does Esmee flow with your last name?
A French literary gem meaning esteemed and beloved
French
English
Scottish
Dutch
Elegant
Vintage
Literary
Whimsical
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"beloved, to love"
Origin: Old French
Language: French
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The Story of Esmee
Esmée is the French feminine form of Esmé, derived from the Old French 'esmer' or the Latin 'aestimare,' meaning 'to esteem' or 'to value.' Some connect it to the Old French 'aimer' (to love). The name was historically used in Scotland as well as France. The double 'e' ending in Esmée is the French feminine form, signaling that the final 'e' is pronounced.
Esmée gained significant traction following J.D. Salinger's 1950 short story 'For Esmé—with Love and Squalor,' one of the most celebrated American short stories. In recent years, the Twilight saga's use of the name Esme for a vampire matriarch and the literary-chic wave of vintage names has brought Esmée renewed interest.
J.D. Salinger's 1950 story 'For Esmé—with Love and Squalor' is considered one of the finest American short stories, cementing Esmé as a name associated with literary sophistication. The name also appears in Lemony Snicket's 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' as the villainous Esmé Squalor.
Historical Record
Esmee first appeared in US Social Security records in 2000.
Over 812 babies have been named Esmee in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Esmee is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #3,736 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- J.D. Salinger's 1950 story 'For Esmé—with Love and Squalor' won the Edgar Award and is included in almost every major anthology of American short fiction
- Esmé Cullen is the adoptive mother in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga, bringing the name to millions of readers worldwide
Esmee in Other Languages
Dutch
Esmee
French
Esmée
English
Esme
Scottish
Esmé
Popularity Over Time
#3,736
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Esmee
E
Esmée Denters
Musician
1988
Dutch singer who became one of YouTube's first viral music sensations in 2006
E
Esmé Squalor Fictional
Other
Villainous character in Lemony Snicket's 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' book series and Netflix adaptation
E
Esmé Cullen Fictional
Other
Adoptive vampire mother in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga (2005-2008), bringing the name to a global audience
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Compare Esmee with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,736
- Total SSA Count
- 41
- Cultural Origins
- French English Scottish Dutch
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ez
Essie
Mae
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, French heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, French heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Esmee
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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"spirited one, descendant of Bradach"
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Turkish origin
"divine grace, kindness"
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Italian/Latin origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Esmee
What does the name Esmee mean?
"esteemed, valued" (from Old French from Latin). "beloved, to love" (from Old French). Esmée is the French feminine form of Esmé, derived from the Old French 'esmer' or the Latin 'aestimare,' meaning 'to esteem' or 'to value.' Some connect it to the Old French 'aimer' (to love). The name was historically used in Scotland as well as France. The double 'e' ending in Esmée is the French feminine form, signaling that the final 'e' is pronounced.
What is the origin of the name Esmee?
Esmee has Old French from Latin, Old French, French, English, Scottish, and Dutch origins. In Old French from Latin, it means "esteemed, valued". In Old French, it means "beloved, to love".
Is Esmee a boy or girl name?
Esmee is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Esmee?
Esmee is currently ranked #3736 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Esmee?
Common nicknames for Esmee include Essie and Mae.
What are good middle names for Esmee?
Popular middle name pairings include Esmee Rose, Esmee Louise, Esmee Claire, Esmee Wren, Esmee Pearl, and Esmee Violet.
What are good sibling names for Esmee?
Names that pair well with Esmee as siblings include Ottoline, Cordelia, Blythe, Caspian, Rafferty, and Jasper.
How many syllables does Esmee have?
Esmee has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Esmee a common or rare name?
Esmee is an uncommon name, ranked #3736 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Esmee?
About the Name Esmee
Esmee is a girl name with French, English, Scottish, and Dutch origins . The name means "esteemed, valued" in Old French from Latin .
Esmee is currently ranked #3,736 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Esmee has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Esmee include Ez, Essie, and Mae. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Esmee include Esme, Esmeralda, Esmeray, Esmerelda . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis