Emma vs Ilse

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

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 →

Ilse

Girl #5,017 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"God is my oath"

Origin: Hebrew via Germanic

Cultural Roots

German Dutch Scandinavian South African

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#5,017
Total SSA Count
27
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Il, Ilsy

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Ilse →

Popularity Comparison

Emma Rank #2
Ilse Rank #5,017

Emma is more popular, ranked #2 vs #5017 for Ilse.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Emma ___

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

Ilse ___

  • Ilse Marie
  • Ilse Louise
  • Ilse Anne
  • Ilse Sophie
  • Ilse Katrine
  • Ilse Renate

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Emma

Olivia Charlotte Liam Henry Sophia

If you choose Ilse

Liesel Klaus Greta Hans Heike

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 Emma or Ilse more popular?

Emma is more popular, ranked #2 compared to Ilse at #5017 in the United States.

What do Emma and Ilse mean?

Emma means "strength" (Germanic origin). Ilse means "God is my oath" (Hebrew via Germanic origin).

Are Emma and Ilse boy or girl names?

Emma is primarily a girl name. Ilse is primarily a girl name.

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