Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Esmeralda
GirlSpanish· “emerald”
- Meaning
- emerald
- Origin
- Spanish
- Pronunciation
- ehz-muh-RAHL-duh
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #373
- US babies 2025
- 823
- Best rank
- #133 (1998)
- Peak year
- 1998
Meaning and origin of Esmeralda
Esmeralda is a Spanish name that means “emerald”.
Esmeralda is the Spanish and Portuguese word for emerald, the green gemstone, which goes back through Latin to the Greek smaragdos. Victor Hugo gave the name literary fame in his novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, published in 1831, where Esmeralda is the kind-hearted young dancer at the center of the story. The name is widely used in Latin America and among Hispanic families in the United States. Esmeralda is long, lyrical and vivid, and it suggests something rare and valuable. Esme, Mera and Mela are possible short forms.
Popularity over time
Esmeralda first appears in US Social Security records in 1911. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 74 different years, starting in 1951. Its best national rank was #133 in 1998, the same year it reached its highest count of 2,477 babies. In 2025, 823 babies were named Esmeralda, and it ranked #373 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #4,114 in 1920, #1,126 in 1950, #420 in 1980, #195 in 2000, #283 in 2010, and #373 in 2025. Of the 51,571 US girls named Esmeralda since records began, 30% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 10,288 babies. Since 2010, 13,843 more have been named Esmeralda.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Summer, Diamond, Camryn, Caitlyn, and Lauryn.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Esmeralda ranked highest in Nevada, California, and Arizona.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | #113 | 20 |
| California | #155 | 198 |
| Arizona | #178 | 37 |
| Nebraska | #253 | 9 |
| Illinois | #260 | 41 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Esmeralda is usually pronounced ehz-muh-RAHL-duh, with four syllables. It has nine letters, starts with E and ends in “-da”.
Middle names for Esmeralda
A few middle names that flow with Esmeralda: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Esmeralda
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Lists that include Esmeralda
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Esmeralda mean?
Esmeralda is a Spanish name that means “emerald”.
What is the origin of the name Esmeralda?
Esmeralda has Spanish roots. Esmeralda is the Spanish and Portuguese word for emerald, the green gemstone, which goes back through Latin to the Greek smaragdos.
Is Esmeralda a popular name?
Yes. Esmeralda ranked #373 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Esmeralda a boy or girl name?
Esmeralda is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Esmeralda?
Esmeralda is usually pronounced ehz-muh-RAHL-duh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings