Esme
Esme is a girls' name of French origin meaning “esteemed, beloved.” It ranked #298 in the United States in 2025. From the Old French esmé meaning esteemed or loved.
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how do you pronounce Esme?
EZ-may
where does the name Esme come from?
From the past participle of the Old French esmer, to esteem: esteemed, or beloved. It is also spelled Esmee.
It was used by J.D. Salinger in For Esmé—with Love and Squalor and gained modern popularity through Esme Cullen in the Twilight series.
how popular is this name?
Esme has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 16 years since 2010. It peaked at #298 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #298 |
| 2024 | #343 |
| 2023 | #325 |
| 2022 | #304 |
| 2021 | #376 |
| 2020 | #395 |
| 2019 | #426 |
| 2018 | #547 |
| 2017 | #585 |
| 2016 | #682 |
| 2010 | #925 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Esme fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Esme
Esme was originally a masculine name and had become a feminine one by the mid-twentieth century.
who are famous people named Esme?
- Esme Cullen (fictional, Twilight)
what are the nicknames and variants of Esme?
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Esme?
what names go well with Esme?
Sibling names that share Esme's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Esme
What does the name Esme mean?
Esme means “esteemed, beloved”.
What is the origin of the name Esme?
Esme comes from the French naming tradition. Related forms include Esmée.
How popular is the name Esme?
Esme ranked #298 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data.
Is Esme a boy or girl name?
Esme is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Esme?
Esme is pronounced EZ-may, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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