"pledged to God"
Origin: Germanic/Hebrew
Language: English
Elsa
Pronunciation: [ EHLS-uh ]
Girl Name
#939 Most Popular
Rising
2 Syllables
Scandinavian royalty long before Frozen made it magic
German
Scandinavian
Spanish
Swedish
Classic
Whimsical
Literary
Elegant
Meaning & Origin
"my God is abundance"
Origin: Hebrew (via Elisabeth)
Language: Hebrew
Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with the protagonist of Disney's Frozen since 2013; parents should expect the connection
The Story of Elsa
Elsa is a Scandinavian and German short form of Elisabeth, itself derived from the Hebrew Elisheba meaning pledged to God or my God is abundance. The name has been used in northern Europe for centuries, carried by queens and noblewomen across Sweden and Germany. It gained literary weight through Wagner's 1850 opera Lohengrin, where Elsa of Brabant is the virtuous heroine.
Elsa experienced a massive global surge after Disney's Frozen premiered in 2013, making it one of the most dramatic pop-culture-driven name booms in modern history. In the years following the film, Elsa rocketed up charts worldwide. For parents today, the Frozen association is essentially unavoidable — it can be a feature or a bug depending on the family.
In Scandinavia, Elsa has been a beloved classic for generations, predating Frozen by centuries. It was the fourth most popular girl's name in Sweden for much of the early 20th century. In Spanish-speaking countries, Elsa also has a long tradition as an elegant, continental choice.
Fun Facts
- Elsa of Brabant appears in Wagner's 1850 opera Lohengrin, 163 years before Frozen
- In Sweden, Elsa was a top-10 name for decades in the early 1900s
- Frozen's Let It Go became one of the best-selling singles of all time, cementing Elsa in pop culture history
Elsa in Other Languages
German
Elsa
Hebrew
אלישבע
Italian
Elsa
Spanish
Elsa
Swedish
Elsa
Japanese
エルサ
Famous People Named Elsa
E
Elsa Peretti
Artist
1940
Italian-American jewelry designer known for her iconic work with Tiffany and Co.
E
Elsa Lanchester
Actor
1902
British actress known for playing the Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
E
Elsa Fictional
Other
Snow queen protagonist of Disney's Frozen (2013) and Frozen II (2019), one of Disney's most beloved characters
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #939
- Total SSA Count
- 280
- Cultural Origins
- German Scandinavian Spanish Swedish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
El
Elsie
Pairs Well With
Elsa Rose
Elsa Jane
Elsa Marie
Elsa Grace
Elsa Sofia
Elsa Ingrid
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Elsa is also used as a boy name, ranked #38876.
View Elsa as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Elsa
What does the name Elsa mean?
"pledged to God" (from Germanic/Hebrew). "my God is abundance" (from Hebrew (via Elisabeth)). Elsa is a Scandinavian and German short form of Elisabeth, itself derived from the Hebrew Elisheba meaning pledged to God or my God is abundance. The name has been used in northern Europe for centuries, carried by queens and noblewomen across Sweden and Germany. It gained literary weight through Wagner's 1850 opera Lohengrin, where Elsa of Brabant is the virtuous heroine.
What is the origin of the name Elsa?
Elsa has Germanic/Hebrew, Hebrew (via Elisabeth), German, Scandinavian, Spanish, and Swedish origins. In Germanic/Hebrew, it means "pledged to God". In Hebrew (via Elisabeth), it means "my God is abundance".
Is Elsa a boy or girl name?
Elsa is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #939. As a boy name, it is ranked #38876. Elsa is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Elsa?
Elsa is pronounced EHLS-uh.
How popular is the name Elsa?
Elsa is currently ranked #939 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Elsa?
Common nicknames for Elsa include El and Elsie.
What are good middle names for Elsa?
Popular middle name pairings include Elsa Rose, Elsa Jane, Elsa Marie, Elsa Grace, Elsa Sofia, and Elsa Ingrid.
What are good sibling names for Elsa?
Names that pair well with Elsa as siblings include Ingrid, Lars, Astrid, Erik, Freya, and Anna.
How many syllables does Elsa have?
Elsa has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Elsa a common or rare name?
Elsa is moderately common, ranked #939 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Elsa
Elsa is a girl name with German, Scandinavian, Spanish, and Swedish origins . The name means "pledged to God" in Germanic/Hebrew .
Is Elsa a boy or girl name? Elsa is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #939 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #38,876. Elsa is more commonly used as a girl name.
Elsa is currently ranked #939 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Elsa has 2 syllables and is pronounced EHLS-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Elsa include El and Elsie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Elsa include Elsie, Elsy . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.