Esmeralda
Esmeralda is a girl's name of Spanish origin.
Meaning
Emerald; valuable green gemstone.
Origin and history
Esmeralda is a feminine name of Spanish origin meaning emerald. It gained popularity in English-speaking regions through literary works such as Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. In the United States, it has enjoyed steady usage as a vibrant jewel name.
Popularity in the United States
51,571 babies in the United States have been named Esmeralda since 1880. It ranks #573 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #373.
States where it is most popular
- CA (35.5 %)
- TX (26.2 %)
- IL (5.7 %)
- AZ (3.9 %)
- FL (3.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 28 |
| 1920-1930 | 97 |
| 1930-1940 | 112 |
| 1940-1950 | 336 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,092 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,615 |
| 1970-1980 | 3,898 |
| 1980-1990 | 4,783 |
| 1990-2000 | 10,288 |
| 2000-2010 | 15,479 |
| 2010-2019 | 8,879 |
| 2020-2029 | 4,964 |
Famous people named Esmeralda
- Esmeralda Santiago: Author, Memoirist
- Esmeralda Devlin: Stage Designer, Artist
Nicknames
Esme, Essie, Esmie
Fun facts
- The name was famously used by Victor Hugo for the central heroine in his 1831 novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.
- The Spanish word esmeralda derives from the Ancient Greek smaragdos, meaning green gem.