Emma
Meaning: Whole, universal; all-embracing
Origin: Old Germanic Ermen or Irmin — meaning universal or whole
Gender: Girl
Rank in Ireland: #3
Total births: 26,364
History: Emma surged to the top of Irish baby name charts in the late 1990s and 2000s, becoming one of the most registered names during the Celtic Tiger era. Irish parents embraced it for its elegance and simplicity. Emma Donoghue, the Dublin-born novelist, brought international acclaim with Room, rooted in the Irish literary tradition of bold storytelling. The name became as common in Gaelscoileanna as in English-medium schools across all 32 counties.
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Look at the data
Every number here comes directly from Ireland’s birth records. No estimates, no averages — just the counts.
| Current rank (2025) | #28 |
| Babies named Emma in 2025 | 137 |
| Total recorded in Ireland | 26,364 |
| Peak year | 2003 (791 babies) |
| Highest rank ever | #1 |
| Years in records | 1964–2025 (62 years of data) |
| Change over last 5 years | ↓ 14 spots |
Frequently asked about Emma
What does the name Emma mean?
Emma means “Whole, universal; all-embracing” from Old Germanic Ermen or Irmin — meaning universal or whole roots.
What is the origin of the name Emma?
Emma has Old Germanic Ermen or Irmin — meaning universal or whole origin. The traditional meaning is “Whole, universal; all-embracing”.
How popular is Emma in Ireland?
Emma ranked #28 in Ireland in 2025 — given to 137 babies that year.
When was Emma most popular?
Emma peaked in 2003 with 791 babies registered that year in Ireland.
Is Emma a boy or girl name?
Emma is predominantly a girls' name in Ireland — over 90% of Emmas in registered births are female.
Is the name Emma rising or falling in popularity?
Emma has fallen 14 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years in Ireland — from #14 in 2020 to #28 in 2025.
How long has Emma been recorded in Ireland?
Emma appears in birth records in Ireland across 62 years — from 1964 through 2025.