Elsa Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Elsa Name Meaning

Fact: Elsa is also a character in the classic novel “Born Free.”

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Elsa Overview

Meaning

Pledged to God, God is my oath, noble, joyful

Gender

Girl

Origin

German, Hebrew, Swiss

Etymology

A short form of the name Elizabeth, derived from the Hebrew name “Elisheba,” meaning “God is my oath.”

Pronunciation

/ˈɛl.sə/

Popularity

Elsa is a popular name in various countries, particularly in Europe. Recently, Elsa has seen a resurgence in popularity in the USA, partly due to the character in Disney’s “Frozen,” and ranks within the top 500 names.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

4 letters

Numerology

1 (Pioneering, Independent, Leading)

Name Styles

Popular, Classic, Short, Mythological

Associated Traits

Graceful, strong, intelligent, independent

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Associated with Saint Elizabeth, revered in Christianity for her piety and charitable works.

Name Day

November 19th
A Deep Dive

Elsa Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Elsie, Elisa, Elissa, Elise, Eliza, Elsy, Elysa, Elsabeth, Elska

Common Nicknames

El, Ellie, Ella, Elsie, Lissy, Lise, Lissa, Essa

Diminutives

Elsy, Elise, Elli, Elly, Ela

Famous People

  • Elsa Pataky
    (Spanish Actress)
  • Elsa Schiaparelli
    (Italian Fashion Designer)
  • Elsa Hosk
    (Swedish Model)
  • Elsa Lanchester
    (British-American Actress)
  • Elsa Martinelli
    (Italian Actress)
  • Elsa Zylberstein
    (French Actress)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Elsa
    ("Frozen," Film Series)
  • "Elsa's Dream"
    (Song)
  • Elsa Mars
    ("American Horror Story: Freak Show," TV Series)
  • Elsa Lanchester
    ("The Bride of Frankenstein," Film)
  • Elsa Dutton
    ("1883," TV Series)
  • "Elsa"
    (Novel)

Places

  • Elsa City
    (Texas, USA)
  • Elsa River
    (Ontario, Canada)
  • Elsa Street
    (London, UK)

What Is the Meaning of Elsa?

Elsa means “pledged to God,” “God is my oath,” “noble,” and “joyful.” This name often conveys a personality that is devoted and sincere, embodying qualities of faithfulness and integrity.

What Is the Origin of The Name Elsa?

Elsa has a rich and diverse origin, with roots in German, Hebrew, and Swiss languages. The name is a diminutive form of Elizabeth.” The name gained popularity in Germany and Switzerland and has been used since the Middle Ages.

Elsa Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Elsa in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#9522021#9942022#10262023
Top 3 Rankings#2151895#2161892#2271894

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Elsa

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
20231026
(-32 from 2022)
245
(-19 from 2022)
0.01401
2022994
(-42 from 2021)
264
(-11 from 2021)
0.01472
2021952
(-37 from 2020)
275
(-9 from 2020)
0.01535
2020915
(-125 from 2019)
284
(-66 from 2019)
0.01607
2019790
(+95 from 2018)
350
(+45 from 2018)
0.01907
2018885
(-199 from 2017)
305
(-120 from 2017)
0.01640
2017686
(-61 from 2016)
425
(-52 from 2016)
0.02250
2016625
(-139 from 2015)
477
(-181 from 2015)
0.02464
2015486
(-200 from 2014)
658
(-482 from 2014)
0.03373
2014286
(+242 from 2013)
1140
(+574 from 2013)
0.05827
2013528
(+21 from 2012)
566
(+24 from 2012)
0.02936
2012549
(+31 from 2011)
542
(+43 from 2011)
0.02795
2011580
(+22 from 2010)
499
(+12 from 2010)
0.02575
2010602
(+80 from 2009)
487
(+61 from 2009)
0.02484
2009682
(+38 from 2008)
426
(+13 from 2008)
0.02104
2008720
(+22 from 2007)
413
(+20 from 2007)
0.01983
2007742
(+43 from 2006)
393
(+43 from 2006)
0.01857
2006785
(-24 from 2005)
350
No change from 2005
0.01674
2005761
(+52 from 2004)
350
(+42 from 2004)
0.01725
2004813
(-81 from 2003)
308
(-41 from 2003)
0.01526
2003732
(+91 from 2002)
349
(+66 from 2002)
0.01739
2002823
(+92 from 2001)
283
(+36 from 2001)
0.01433
2001915
(-5 from 2000)
247
(+7 from 2000)
0.01247
2000910
(-13 from 1999)
240
(+4 from 1999)
0.01203
1999897
(+101 from 1998)
236
(+36 from 1998)
0.01212
1998998
(-5 from 1997)
200
(+4 from 1997)
0.01032
1997993
(-124 from 1996)
196
(-32 from 1996)
0.01027
1996869
(-2 from 1995)
228
(+6 from 1995)
0.01189
1995867
(-4 from 1994)
222
(-5 from 1994)
0.01155
1994863
(+94 from 1993)
227
(+30 from 1993)
0.01164
1993957
(-95 from 1992)
197
(-32 from 1992)
0.00999
1992862
(+30 from 1991)
229
(+9 from 1991)
0.01142
1991892
(-78 from 1990)
220
(-22 from 1990)
0.01082
1990814
(+66 from 1989)
242
(+33 from 1989)
0.01178
1989880
(+94 from 1988)
209
(+39 from 1988)
0.01049
1988974
(-27 from 1987)
170
(-1 from 1987)
0.00884
1987947
(-110 from 1986)
171
(-28 from 1986)
0.00912
1986837
(+8 from 1985)
199
(+7 from 1985)
0.01078
1985845
(-95 from 1984)
192
(-24 from 1984)
0.01040
1984750
(-35 from 1983)
216
(-19 from 1983)
0.01198
1983715
(+72 from 1982)
235
(+29 from 1982)
0.01313
1982787
(-86 from 1981)
206
(-34 from 1981)
0.01135
1981701
(-4 from 1980)
240
(-4 from 1980)
0.01342
1980697
(+67 from 1979)
244
(+34 from 1979)
0.01370
1979764
(-62 from 1978)
210
(-15 from 1978)
0.01219
1978702
(-47 from 1977)
225
(-20 from 1977)
0.01369
1977655
(-59 from 1976)
245
(-24 from 1976)
0.01489
1976596
(+21 from 1975)
269
(+14 from 1975)
0.01711
1975617
(-5 from 1974)
255
(+1 from 1974)
0.01634
1974612
(-1 from 1973)
254
(+1 from 1973)
0.01622
1973611
(-5 from 1972)
253
(-10 from 1972)
0.01628
1972606
(+5 from 1971)
263
(-16 from 1971)
0.01631
1971611
(-23 from 1970)
279
(-19 from 1970)
0.01592
1970588
(+4 from 1969)
298
(+18 from 1969)
0.01627
1969592
(+24 from 1968)
280
(+37 from 1968)
0.01588
1968616
(-11 from 1967)
243
(-2 from 1967)
0.01421
1967605
(-53 from 1966)
245
(-50 from 1966)
0.01427
1966552
(+24 from 1965)
295
(+21 from 1965)
0.01680
1965576
(+14 from 1964)
274
(-8 from 1964)
0.01499
1964590
(-5 from 1963)
282
(-4 from 1963)
0.01441
1963585
(+17 from 1962)
286
(+10 from 1962)
0.01439
1962602
(-6 from 1961)
276
(-9 from 1961)
0.01362
1961596
(-2 from 1960)
285
(+6 from 1960)
0.01372
1960594
(-1 from 1959)
279
No change from 1959
0.01342
1959593
(-7 from 1958)
279
(-9 from 1958)
0.01342
1958586
(-67 from 1957)
288
(-52 from 1957)
0.01394
1957519
(+8 from 1956)
340
(+31 from 1956)
0.01620
1956527
(+14 from 1955)
309
(+20 from 1955)
0.01500
1955541
(+24 from 1954)
289
(+41 from 1954)
0.01441
1954565
(+52 from 1953)
248
(+41 from 1953)
0.01246
1953617
(-26 from 1952)
207
(-9 from 1952)
0.01073
1952591
(+59 from 1951)
216
(+38 from 1951)
0.01136
1951650
(+43 from 1950)
178
(+24 from 1950)
0.00964
1950693
(+32 from 1949)
154
(+17 from 1949)
0.00876
1949725
(-9 from 1948)
137
(-1 from 1948)
0.00780
1948716
(+23 from 1947)
138
(+4 from 1947)
0.00792
1947739
(+32 from 1946)
134
(+21 from 1946)
0.00737
1946771
(-117 from 1945)
113
(-13 from 1945)
0.00701
1945654
(+31 from 1944)
126
(+7 from 1944)
0.00936
1944685
(-40 from 1943)
119
(-20 from 1943)
0.00871
1943645
(-3 from 1942)
139
(+3 from 1942)
0.00968
1942642
(-53 from 1941)
136
(-6 from 1941)
0.00978
1941589
(+51 from 1940)
142
(+20 from 1940)
0.01140
1940640
(-99 from 1939)
122
(-29 from 1939)
0.01033
1939541
(+70 from 1938)
151
(+26 from 1938)
0.01331
1938611
(-19 from 1937)
125
(-4 from 1937)
0.01095
1937592
(-14 from 1936)
129
(-1 from 1936)
0.01171
1936578
(+34 from 1935)
130
(+17 from 1935)
0.01206
1935612
(+23 from 1934)
113
(+3 from 1934)
0.01040
1934635
(-60 from 1933)
110
(-14 from 1933)
0.01016
1933575
(+1 from 1932)
124
(-6 from 1932)
0.01185
1932576
(-23 from 1931)
130
(-10 from 1931)
0.01175
1931553
(+30 from 1930)
140
(+3 from 1930)
0.01268
1930583
(+23 from 1929)
137
(+9 from 1929)
0.01174
1929606
(-49 from 1928)
128
(-30 from 1928)
0.01106
1928557
(+47 from 1927)
158
(+20 from 1927)
0.01322
1927604
(+5 from 1926)
138
(+2 from 1926)
0.01116
1926609
(+7 from 1925)
136
(-5 from 1925)
0.01106
1925616
(+19 from 1924)
141
(+1 from 1924)
0.01116
1924635
(-8 from 1923)
140
(+2 from 1923)
0.01081
1923627
(-39 from 1922)
138
(-11 from 1922)
0.01102
1922588
(-6 from 1921)
149
(-5 from 1921)
0.01194
1921582
(-67 from 1920)
154
(-30 from 1920)
0.01203
1920515
(+9 from 1919)
184
(+15 from 1919)
0.01479
1919524
(+9 from 1918)
169
(-4 from 1918)
0.01439
1918533
(-73 from 1917)
173
(-25 from 1917)
0.01439
1917460
(-14 from 1916)
198
(-3 from 1916)
0.01762
1916446
(-55 from 1915)
201
(-36 from 1915)
0.01851
1915391
(+21 from 1914)
237
(+71 from 1914)
0.02315
1914412
(+20 from 1913)
166
(+35 from 1913)
0.02084
1913432
(-3 from 1912)
131
(+11 from 1912)
0.02000
1912429
(-31 from 1911)
120
(+17 from 1911)
0.02045
1911398
(+47 from 1910)
103
(+23 from 1910)
0.02331
1910445
(-27 from 1909)
80
(+3 from 1909)
0.01907
1909418
(-46 from 1908)
77
(-16 from 1908)
0.02092
1908372
(+11 from 1907)
93
(+7 from 1907)
0.02623
1907383
(-15 from 1906)
86
(+2 from 1906)
0.02549
1906368
(+21 from 1905)
84
(+9 from 1905)
0.02680
1905389
(-11 from 1904)
75
No change from 1904
0.02420
1904378
(-43 from 1903)
75
(-12 from 1903)
0.02565
1903335
(-11 from 1902)
87
(-4 from 1902)
0.03127
1902324
(-15 from 1901)
91
(-3 from 1901)
0.03246
1901309
(+26 from 1900)
94
(-8 from 1900)
0.03697
1900335
(-20 from 1899)
102
(+12 from 1899)
0.03210
1899315
(-24 from 1898)
90
(-21 from 1898)
0.03637
1898291
(-40 from 1897)
111
(-17 from 1897)
0.04049
1897251
No change from 1896
128
(-1 from 1896)
0.05156
1896251
(-36 from 1895)
129
(-31 from 1895)
0.05119
1895215
(+12 from 1894)
160
(+23 from 1894)
0.06475
1894227
(+37 from 1893)
137
(+33 from 1893)
0.05806
1893264
(-48 from 1892)
104
(-38 from 1892)
0.04617
1892216
(+22 from 1891)
142
(+40 from 1891)
0.06314
1891238
No change from 1890
102
(-4 from 1890)
0.05189
1890238
(-9 from 1889)
106
(+2 from 1889)
0.05256
1889229
(+21 from 1888)
104
(+17 from 1888)
0.05496
1888250
(+20 from 1887)
87
(+26 from 1887)
0.04592
1887270
No change from 1886
61
(+2 from 1886)
0.03925
1886270
(-21 from 1885)
59
(-7 from 1885)
0.03838
1885249
(+24 from 1884)
66
(+15 from 1884)
0.04650
1884273
(+21 from 1883)
51
(+16 from 1883)
0.03707
1883294
(+32 from 1882)
35
(+6 from 1882)
0.02915
1882326
(-9 from 1881)
29
(+4 from 1881)
0.02507
1881317
(+50 from 1880)
25
(+5 from 1880)
0.02529
1880367
First SSA data recorded
20
First SSA data recorded
0.02049

American States Popularity Rankings for Elsa

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#6972021#7442022#7792023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#7962021#7842022#8802023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#7702021#11762022#12392023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#8182021#11962022#8432023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#7812020#7122021#8922022

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#9032021#14602022#13012023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#7522021#10972022#9792023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#8812018#7782019#8882020

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#6722021#7632022#9892023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#11462021#10122022#9002023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#5932020#8572021#9682022

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#12802020#10012021#12742022

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#8542020#7432022#7602023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#10852021#10592022#9832023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#6412019#5192020#9262022

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#6902019#6312020#7522022

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#9352021#12302022#12412023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#5092017#5682018#5782022

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#6982015#6822017#9802022

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#8422020#8302021#9522023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#4672015#5172019#6502021

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#7592016#9722017#9572023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#9652020#10092022#6212023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#5202015#4742017#4152019

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#1982014#6102017#5052020

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#11462019#12132022#10512023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#4742016#6562017#6612019

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#3282014#4662017#4312023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#7842013#5972015#7592017

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#5462013#1742014#5222019

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#4641944#5972014#8122015

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#4121960#3641966#4302014

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1532013#2652014#2742016

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#5652015#6972016#8382018

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2192013#1502014#1922015

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#6282007#3342014#3302015

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1512011#2302012#2372013

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#972014#1212015#1592016

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2132013#1882014#2352015

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1971916#2302011#1862014

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#4952014#5062023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#6762014#6872015

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#782012#1112013

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2741966#2741968

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2912014

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#3172015

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1992011

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1942020

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#5001928

Popularity Rankings for Elsa in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#62021#62022#12023

Popularity in Finland

Finland flagFinland#272021#252022#262023

Popularity in Spain

Spain flagSpain#652020#702021#732022

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#792019#922020#1112021

Popularity in Basque Country, Spain

Basque Country, Spain flagBasque Country, Spain#992015

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#1222021#2082022#2352023

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#1632021#1352022#1332023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#1522014#3792015#4932019

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#1862018#1652019#1812022

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#1652019#1832020#1762021

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1921986#1751987#1901988

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1781987#1801988#1921990

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#2092015#4322017#3972020

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#2092020#3132021#3932022

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#2362021#2602022#2242023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#3062020#3202021#3522022

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#3242016#4102017#3892018

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#3881999#5252004

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#4302021#7472022#4952023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#4912017#4492018#4582023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#4962019#5372020#5672021

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#6582021#6782022#6832023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Elsa a Name for Boys or Girls?

Elsa is generally a girl’s name. Its gentle and melodic sound, combined with its cultural significance, makes it a lovely name for girls.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Elsa

Elsa in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Elsa Pataky (Actress, born 1976): A Spanish actress and model recognized for her roles in the "Fast & Furious" franchise.
  • Elsa Schiaparelli (Fashion Designer, 1890–1973): An Italian fashion designer celebrated for her innovative and surreal designs in the early 20th century.
  • Elsa Hosk (Model, born 1988): A Swedish model and former Victoria's Secret Angel.
  • Elsa Lanchester (Actress, 1902–1986): A British-American actress acclaimed for her role in "The Bride of Frankenstein."
  • Elsa Martinelli (Actress, 1935–2017): An Italian actress and fashion model noted for her roles in European and American films.
  • Elsa Zylberstein (Actress, born 1968): A French actress distinguished for her performances in "I've Loved You So Long" and other French films.
  • Elsa ("Frozen," 2013 Film Series): A queen with the magical ability to create ice and snow, who struggles with her powers and responsibilities.
  • "Elsa's Dream" (2010 Song by Sarah Brightman): A classical crossover song from the album "La Luna."
  • Elsa Mars ("American Horror Story: Freak Show," 2014 TV Series): The eccentric owner of a struggling freak show with a dark past.
  • Elsa Lanchester ("The Bride of Frankenstein," 1935 Film): Portrays the iconic Bride of Frankenstein, brought to life by Dr. Frankenstein's experiments.
  • Elsa Dutton ("1883," 2021 TV Series): A young woman traveling with her family on a perilous journey to settle in the American West.
  • "Elsa" (2017 Novel by Jodi Picoult): A novel about a young girl named Elsa who forms a special bond with her grandmother.
  • Elsa ("The Elves and the Shoemaker," 1806 Fairy Tale): A character in the classic fairy tale who helps the shoemaker with her magical abilities.
  • Elsa Zylberstein ("A Bag of Marbles," 2017 Film): A supporting character in the film about two Jewish brothers fleeing the Nazis.
  • Elsa ("Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," 1989 Film): A seductive and treacherous archaeologist who seeks the Holy Grail.
  • "Elsa's House" (2009 Album by Max Richter): A contemporary classical album featuring compositions inspired by various themes, including Elsa.
  • Elsa City (Texas, USA): A city in Hidalgo County known for its agricultural heritage and close-knit community.
  • Elsa River (Ontario, Canada): A river in Ontario known for its scenic beauty and opportunities for fishing and kayaking.
  • Elsa Street (London, UK): A historic street known for its charming architecture and cultural significance.

Similar Names to Elsa

Sibling Names for Elsa