More details about the name “Esme”
French baby names like Esme are a modern and elegant choice derived from esmé meaning respected or beloved. This name links to the Latin word aestimatus. Historically, it was once used as a masculine name in Scotland most notably by Esmé Stewart the 1st Duke of Lennox in the 16th century. Today, it is primarily a feminine name popular in English-speaking countries like the UK, the US and Australia.
This name meaning reflects grace and affection with associations of being loved or valued. Variants of this name include Esmée and Ismay with nicknames such as Essie or Mimi. This name gained modern importance through fictional characters like Esme Cullen from Twilight and Esme Weatherwax from Terry Pratchett’s, Discworld.
It has Literary connections such as J.D. Salinger’s short story For Esmé – with Love and Squalor added to its culture. It is a name that beautifully balances classic charm with modern appeal. This name often appears in the Top 100–150 names for girls. Girl names that start with E have a wonderful variety of lovely and unique options to explore.
Famous People Named “Esme”
This name has been taken by famous people across history, literature and pop culture. These people are associated with elegance, strength and modern charm. Here are some famous people include:
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Esme Cullen | A central character in Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series showing the loving matriarch of the Cullen family. |
| Esme Creed-Miles | An English actress known for her lead role in the television series Hanna. |
| Esme Gigi Geniveve Squalor | Esme Gigi Geniveve Squalor is a glamorous and comedic villain from A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. |
Source: Social Security Administration, Girl Names Data