"pledged to God"
Origin: Germanic/Hebrew
Language: English
Elsa
Pronunciation: [ EHLS-uh ]
Does Elsa flow with your last name?
Scandinavian royalty long before Frozen made it magic
German
Scandinavian
Spanish
Swedish
Classic
Whimsical
Literary
Elegant
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Elsa
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Elsa
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"my God is abundance"
Origin: Hebrew (via Elisabeth)
Language: Hebrew
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Elsa
See all →What the Elsa report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Elsa the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Elsa
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Elsa head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Elsa actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
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.
Historical Record
Elsa first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 22,241 babies have been named Elsa in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Elsa is past its peak , currently ranked #939 for girl names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#939
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 2014
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Ainhoa
Girl
"reference to Our Lady of Ainhoa (the Virgin Mary)"
#946
Ramona
Girl
"counsel, protection"
#770
Barbara
Girl
"foreign woman, stranger"
#860
Colbie
Girl
"coal town"
#1,109
Vida
Girl
"life"
#1,023
Compare Elsa with:
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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, classic style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, German heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, German heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Elsa
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Elsa fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Elsa is also used as a boy name, ranked #38876.
View Elsa as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Elsa →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Elsa with...
Same Origin Names (German)
See all German names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Elsa
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Elsa and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Elsa sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Ainhoa
Girl
Basque religious tradition origin
"reference to Our Lady of Ainhoa (the ..."
#946 in US
Ramona
Girl
Germanic origin
"counsel, protection"
#770 in US
Barbara
Girl
Greek barbaros origin
"foreign woman, stranger"
#860 in US
Colbie
Girl
Old Norse/English origin
"coal town"
#1,109 in US
Vida
Girl
Latin origin
"life"
#1,023 in US
Marcella
Girl
Latin alternative etymology origin
"hammer"
#1,054 in US
Marianna
Girl
Hebrew roots origin
"beloved and gracious"
#857 in US
Lesly
Girl
Scottish Gaelic origin
"garden of holly"
#1,102 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Elsa's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
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 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.
What girl names are similar to Elsa?
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.
Keep Exploring
Germanic/Hebrew Names
Browse all names with this origin
E
Names Starting with E
More girl names like Elsa
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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