Esme vs Liam

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Esme

Girl #344 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"beloved, esteemed"

Origin: French

Cultural Roots

English French Scottish Persian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#344
Total SSA Count
901
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Ez

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Esme →

Liam

Boy #1 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"strong-willed warrior"

Origin: Irish

Cultural Roots

Irish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1
Total SSA Count
22,164
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Lee

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Liam →

Popularity Comparison

Esme Rank #344
Liam Rank #1

Liam is more popular, ranked #1 vs #344 for Esme.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Esme ___

  • Esme Rose
  • Esme Pearl
  • Esme Violet
  • Esme Gray
  • Esme Wren
  • Esme June

Liam ___

  • Liam James
  • Liam Alexander
  • Liam Thomas
  • Liam Michael
  • Liam Patrick
  • Liam Joseph

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Esme

Soren Jasper Ottilie Wren Felix

If you choose Liam

Olivia Emma Noah Charlotte 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 Esme or Liam more popular?

Liam is more popular, ranked #1 compared to Esme at #344 in the United States.

What do Esme and Liam mean?

Esme means "beloved, esteemed" (French origin). Liam means "strong-willed warrior" (Irish origin).

Are Esme and Liam boy or girl names?

Esme is primarily a girl name. Liam is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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← Full profile: Esme ← Full profile: Liam Browse all baby names