"esteemed, beloved"
Origin: Old French
Language: French
Esmae
Does Esmae flow with your last name?
A literary gem meaning esteemed and beloved
English
French
Scottish
American
Vintage
Elegant
Literary
Whimsical
Gentle
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Esmae
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Esmae
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"to esteem, to value (from aestimare)"
Origin: Latin via Old French
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Esmae
See all →What the Esmae report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Esmae 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 Esmae
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Esmae head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Esmae 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
The Story of Esmae
Esmae is a variant spelling of Esmé, from the Old French past participle of 'esmer' meaning to esteem or love, related to the Latin 'aestimare'. The name was introduced to Scotland in the 16th century by Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox, a French-raised cousin of King James VI. It carries a delicate, refined quality that has made it a darling of literary parents.
Esmé/Esmae has been surging in popularity as part of the vintage name revival. J.D. Salinger's 1950 short story 'For Esmé—with Love and Squalor' gave the name literary prestige, and the Twilight vampire character Esme Cullen brought it to a new generation. The 'Esmae' spelling offers a modern twist on the classic.
In Scotland, Esmé has historical associations with nobility and the Stuart court. The literary connection through Salinger's story gives it a sophisticated, intellectual appeal. The name sits at the intersection of old-world elegance and modern individuality.
Historical Record
Esmae first appeared in US Social Security records in 2008.
Over 1,376 babies have been named Esmae in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Esmae is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #2,027 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox, introduced the name to Scotland via France in 1579
- J.D. Salinger's 1950 story 'For Esmé—with Love and Squalor' is considered one of the greatest short stories of the 20th century
- Esme Cullen is a beloved character in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series
Esmae in Other Languages
French
Esmée
English
Esme/Esmae
Spanish
Esmé
Scottish
Esmé
Popularity Over Time
#2,027
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Esmae
E
Esmé Bianco
Actor
1982
British actress known for playing Ros in Game of Thrones
E
Esmé Stuart, 1st Duke of Lennox
Royalty
1542
French-raised Scottish nobleman and favorite of King James VI who brought the name Esmé to Scotland
E
Esme Cullen Fictional
Other
Vampire character in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series, known as the compassionate Cullen matriarch
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,027
- Total SSA Count
- 97
- Cultural Origins
- English French Scottish American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ez
Mae
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Distinctive pick, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Esmae
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Esmae fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Esmae →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 Esmae with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Esmae
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Esmae and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Esmae 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 →
Layna
Girl
Arabic origin
"tender, gentle (Arabic Lina)"
#2,041 in US
Mindy
Girl
Greek via Melinda origin
"honey, sweet"
#1,978 in US
Sabine
Girl
Italian origin
"woman from the Sabine hills"
#1,867 in US
Aubri
Girl
Old Germanic Alberic origin
"elf ruler, supernatural power"
#2,187 in US
Ailanny
Girl
Hawaiian origin
"orange tree"
#1,910 in US
Stormie
Girl
Old English origin
"tempestuous, like a storm"
#1,981 in US
Unique
Girl
Latin origin
"without equal; matchless"
#2,201 in US
Laia
Girl
Greek origin
"well-spoken, eloquent"
#2,056 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Esmae's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Esmae
What does the name Esmae mean?
"esteemed, beloved" (from Old French). "to esteem, to value (from aestimare)" (from Latin via Old French). Esmae is a variant spelling of Esmé, from the Old French past participle of 'esmer' meaning to esteem or love, related to the Latin 'aestimare'. The name was introduced to Scotland in the 16th century by Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox, a French-raised cousin of King James VI. It carries a delicate, refined quality that has made it a darling of literary parents.
What is the origin of the name Esmae?
Esmae has Old French, Latin via Old French, English, French, Scottish, and American origins. In Old French, it means "esteemed, beloved". In Latin via Old French, it means "to esteem, to value (from aestimare)".
Is Esmae a boy or girl name?
Esmae is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Esmae?
Esmae is currently ranked #2027 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Esmae?
Common nicknames for Esmae include Mae.
What are good middle names for Esmae?
Popular middle name pairings include Esmae Rose, Esmae Pearl, Esmae Violet, Esmae Jane, Esmae Claire, and Esmae Wren.
What are good sibling names for Esmae?
Names that pair well with Esmae as siblings include Cecily, Imogen, Beatrix, Jasper, Aubrey, and Sylvie.
How many syllables does Esmae have?
Esmae has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Esmae a common or rare name?
Esmae is an uncommon name, ranked #2027 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Esmae?
Are there other spellings for Esmae?
Related spellings include Esma.
About the Name Esmae
Esmae is a girl name with English, French, Scottish, and American origins . The name means "esteemed, beloved" in Old French .
Esmae is currently ranked #2,027 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Esmae has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Esmae include Ez and Mae. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Esmae include Esma . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Old French Names
Browse all names with this origin
E
Names Starting with E
More girl names like Esmae
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