What does Adeline mean?
A French elaboration of Germanic adal, “noble.”
What does Emma mean?
Emma comes from the Germanic ermen, meaning “whole” or “universal.” It has been used in England since the Norman Conquest.
Adeline vs Emma
Which is more popular?
Emma is more popular than Adeline today: about 12,754 US babies were given the name Emma in 2025, compared with 3,864 named Adeline.
| Adeline | Emma | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Noble | Whole, universal |
| Origin | Germanic | Germanic |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | AD-uh-line | EM-uh |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 2016 (4,120) | 2003 (22,719) |
| In 2025 | 3,864 | 12,754 |
| Trend | Rising | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Adeline
Emma
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Adeline | Emma |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 19,006 | 85,652 |
| 2010s | 23,383 | 195,070 |
| 2000s | 5,719 | 181,414 |
| 1990s | 1,180 | 58,252 |
| 1980s | 493 | 10,381 |
| 1970s | 348 | 4,665 |
| 1960s | 532 | 6,993 |
| 1950s | 905 | 14,613 |
| 1940s | 1,619 | 22,788 |
| 1930s | 3,450 | 30,022 |
| 1920s | 9,917 | 46,538 |
| 1910s | 8,985 | 41,819 |
| 1900s | 2,646 | 24,176 |
| 1890s | 1,697 | 28,652 |
| 1880s | 932 | 25,404 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Adeline or Emma more popular?
Emma is more popular than Adeline today: about 12,754 US babies were given the name Emma in 2025, compared with 3,864 named Adeline.
What is the difference between Adeline and Emma?
Adeline means Noble (Germanic origin), while Emma means Whole, universal (Germanic origin).
Which name is older, Adeline or Emma?
In US records, Adeline first appears in 1880 and Emma in 1880, so Adeline has the longer recorded history.