Althea vs Emma

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Althea

Girl #1,397 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"healer, one who makes whole"

Origin: Greek (althainein — to heal)

Cultural Roots

Greek English African-American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,397
Total SSA Count
160
Syllables
3
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Thea, Al, Allie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Althea →

Emma

Girl #2 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"strength"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English German French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2
Total SSA Count
13,485
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Em, Emmy

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Emma →

Popularity Comparison

Althea Rank #1,397
Emma Rank #2

Emma is more popular, ranked #2 vs #1397 for Althea.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Althea ___

  • Althea Rose
  • Althea Jane
  • Althea Grace
  • Althea Fern
  • Althea Violet
  • Althea Pearl

Emma ___

  • Emma Rose
  • Emma Grace
  • Emma Jane
  • Emma Louise
  • Emma Kate
  • Emma Marie

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Althea

Thea Cordelia Lavinia Cassius Lysander

If you choose Emma

Olivia Charlotte Liam Henry Sophia

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Althea or Emma more popular?

Emma is more popular, ranked #2 compared to Althea at #1397 in the United States.

What do Althea and Emma mean?

Althea means "healer, one who makes whole" (Greek (althainein — to heal) origin). Emma means "strength" (Germanic origin).

Are Althea and Emma boy or girl names?

Althea is primarily a girl name. Emma is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Althea ← Full profile: Emma Browse all baby names