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