"emerald (precious green gemstone)"
Origin: Spanish/Portuguese
Language: English
Esmerelda
Pronunciation: [ ehsm-er-EHLD-uh ]
Does Esmerelda flow with your last name?
A jewel of a name, glittering with literary romance
Spanish
Portuguese
English
Romani
Whimsical
Literary
Vintage
Elegant
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Esmerelda
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Esmerelda
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Esmerelda
See all →What the Esmerelda report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Esmerelda 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 Esmerelda
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Esmerelda head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Esmerelda 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 Esmerelda
Esmerelda (also spelled Esmeralda) comes from the Spanish and Portuguese word for 'emerald,' derived from the Greek smaragdos and the Old Persian zamrrud. The name became widely known through Victor Hugo's 1831 novel 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,' where Esmeralda is a beautiful Romani dancer beloved by Quasimodo. The emerald spelling with an 'a' is more common, while Esmerelda with an 'e' is a variant that gained traction in English-speaking countries.
Esmeralda/Esmerelda saw a significant popularity boost following the 1996 Disney animated film 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,' which portrayed Esmeralda as a brave, compassionate heroine. The name appears consistently in US and UK birth records, particularly in Hispanic communities, and has seen renewed interest as vintage and literary names return to fashion.
In Romani culture, the character Esmeralda from Hugo's novel — though written by a non-Romani author — became an iconic representation of Romani women in popular culture. The name is also associated with the protective power of emeralds, which were historically believed to ward off evil.
Historical Record
Esmerelda first appeared in US Social Security records in 1971.
Over 749 babies have been named Esmerelda in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Esmerelda is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #4,331 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Esmeralda was the 12th most popular name for newborns in Mexico in the 1990s
- The 1996 Disney film 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame' boosted the name significantly in English-speaking countries
- Colombia's Boyacá region produces some of the world's finest emeralds, where the name is especially beloved
Esmerelda in Other Languages
French
Esméralda
English
Esmerelda
Italian
Smeraldo
Spanish
Esmeralda
Portuguese
Esmeralda
Popularity Over Time
#4,331
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Esmerelda
E
Esmeralda Santiago
Writer
1948
Puerto Rican-American memoirist and novelist, author of 'When I Was Puerto Rican'
E
Esmeralda Fictional
Other
Romani dancer and protagonist of Victor Hugo's 1831 novel 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,' and the 1996 Disney animated fi...
Romani dancer and protagonist of Victor Hugo's 1831 novel 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,' and the 1996 Disney animated film
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #4,331
- Total SSA Count
- 33
- Cultural Origins
- Spanish Portuguese English Romani
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Esme
Elda
Esmer
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 4-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 4-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Esmerelda
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Esmerelda fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Esmerelda →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 Esmerelda with...
Same Origin Names (Spanish)
See all Spanish names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Esmerelda
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Esmerelda and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Esmerelda 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 →
Indica
Girl
Latin origin
"of India, from the Indus River region"
#4,330 in US
Carsen
Girl
Scottish/Old Norse origin
"son of Carr, marsh dweller"
#4,242 in US
Theo
Girl
Greek origin
"gift of God (short for Theodore/Theod..."
#4,494 in US
Leisha
Girl
Old French origin
"nobility, noble birth"
#4,505 in US
Coralynn
Girl
Greek via Latin origin
"like coral, sea-born beauty"
#4,210 in US
Nayvee
Girl
American English origin
"modern invented name, navy blue"
#4,485 in US
Raelynne
Girl
Hebrew origin
"ewe (graceful creature)"
#4,230 in US
Siani
Girl
Welsh form of Jane/Johanna origin
"gift of God"
#4,460 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Esmerelda's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Esmerelda
What does the name Esmerelda mean?
"emerald (precious green gemstone)" (from Spanish/Portuguese). Esmerelda (also spelled Esmeralda) comes from the Spanish and Portuguese word for 'emerald,' derived from the Greek smaragdos and the Old Persian zamrrud. The name became widely known through Victor Hugo's 1831 novel 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,' where Esmeralda is a beautiful Romani dancer beloved by Quasimodo. The emerald spelling with an 'a' is more common, while Esmerelda with an 'e' is a variant that gained traction in English-speaking countries.
What is the origin of the name Esmerelda?
Esmerelda has Spanish/Portuguese, Spanish, Portuguese, English, and Romani origins. In Spanish/Portuguese, it means "emerald (precious green gemstone)".
Is Esmerelda a boy or girl name?
Esmerelda is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Esmerelda?
Esmerelda is pronounced ehsm-er-EHLD-uh.
How popular is the name Esmerelda?
Esmerelda is currently ranked #4331 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Esmerelda?
Common nicknames for Esmerelda include Esme, Elda, and Esmer.
What are good middle names for Esmerelda?
Popular middle name pairings include Esmerelda Rose, Esmerelda Grace, Esmerelda Marie, Esmerelda Jane, and Esmerelda Violet.
What are good sibling names for Esmerelda?
Names that pair well with Esmerelda as siblings include Isadora, Evangeline, Raphael, Celestine, Aurelio, and Seraphina.
How many syllables does Esmerelda have?
Esmerelda has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Esmerelda a common or rare name?
Esmerelda is an uncommon name, ranked #4331 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Esmerelda?
About the Name Esmerelda
Esmerelda is a girl name with Spanish, Portuguese, English, and Romani origins . The name means "emerald (precious green gemstone)" in Spanish/Portuguese .
Esmerelda is currently ranked #4,331 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Esmerelda has 4 syllables and is pronounced ehsm-er-EHLD-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Esmerelda include Esme, Elda, and Esmer. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Esmerelda include Esme, Esmeralda, Esmeray, Esmee . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Spanish/Portuguese Names
Browse all names with this origin
E
Names Starting with E
More girl names like Esmerelda
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
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