Emma Alternatives Part Three

Used by the Puritans but off the US charts completely since the mid-1990s, Eartha is best known today as the name of American singer Eartha Kitt, as well as of the philanthropist and humanitarian Eartha M. M. White.

Ebba, the feminine version of Eberhard and also a form of an old English name, is in the Swedish Top 10 but virtually unknown in the US. However, with the rise of Emma, Ella, Ada, and similar simple-yet-traditional names, Ebba may enjoy more widespread popularity.

An medieval English diminutive of Edith, which could make an unusual addition to simple vintage revivals like Eva, Ada and Ida. In Turkish, it means "well mannered".

This Old Norse girl name has a lovely meaning and a familiar yet distinctive sound.

Edla is a feminine name with Germanic and Scandinavian origins. The name likely derives from the Old Germanic elements meaning 'noble' or 'precious.' In Norse history, Edla was the name of a concubine of King Olof Skötkonung of Sweden, giving the name some historical significance. Across Scandinavian countries, especially Sweden and Finland, Edla has maintained a quiet presence without becoming particularly common. The name carries a sense of ancient wisdom and strength in its simplicity. Edla's brief, two-syllable structure gives it an accessible sound while still feeling distinctive. Its rarity in English-speaking countries makes it an uncommon choice with authentic Nordic roots.

Edna is one of those names that, until what it seemed like a few minutes ago, felt so terminally frumpy that no one could imagine a parent choosing it for an innocent modern baby girl. But with the great upswing in names honoring ancestral family members, several of them being other four-letter, e-ending names, we wouldn't be so sure.

Edra is a concise feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from the Hebrew name Edre, meaning 'flock' or 'cloud', or have connections to Greek or Welsh roots. In Welsh contexts, it could be related to the word for 'blessed'. Edra has remained quite uncommon throughout history, never breaking into popular name charts in most countries. The name's brevity gives it a modern feel, while its potential ancient origins provide historical depth. With just two syllables and a soft ending, Edra strikes a balance between strength and femininity. The name might appeal to parents seeking something short, distinctive, and easy to pronounce across multiple cultures.

Eigra is a name with a great mythological and literary past - it is the Welsh version of Igraine/Ygraine, who was the mother of King Arthur.

Eila is a Hebrew name heard in Israel. The name also has roots in Finland and Norway, where it's derived from Elina, a variation of Helen, or from Aila, a form of Helga. Eila could gain attention as a cross-cultural name and fresh alternative to popular sound-alike choices like Ayla, Ella, and Isla.

This Welsh nature name that can be pronounced exactly like the male Ira. Or, to avoid confusion, you could just name her Snow.

Indian film producer Ekta Kapoor is one notable bearer of this name. Just beware that some in the West may at first mis-hear this as Hector - not a reason to not use this meaningful name.

The site of Napoleon's exile became the great-great-aunt in the purple hat.

While we still can't see Hilda coming back any time soon, it's conceivable that this Italian version could ride the coattails of Ella, Elena and Ellery to broader popularity.

Olga variant without the Russian spirit.

Much more manageable than the full form of the name. Possible international alternative to Ella.

Ella is a sweet, simple name that owes much of its current popularity to the popularity of other names, from Emma to Bella to Emily to Ellie.

Historically a diminutive of Wilhelmina, Elma's parent name and soundalike sisters are slowly stirring back to life as the trend for vintage baby names continues. With Alma on the rise in the US, Thelma chic in France, and Selma hot in Scandinavia, Elma could be in with a shot at a revival – especially given the popularity of Emma and Ella. But Muppet Elmo and Looney Tune Elmer Fudd may cast a long shadow.

Elna is a feminine name with Scandinavian and Germanic roots. It likely developed as a variant of Elena or Helena, ultimately deriving from the Greek word 'helene' meaning 'torch' or 'bright light.' In Nordic countries, particularly Sweden and Norway, Elna has enjoyed modest popularity throughout history. The name carries associations with brightness, clarity, and illumination. While never reaching mainstream popularity in the United States or United Kingdom, Elna has maintained a consistent presence among families with Scandinavian heritage. Its short, two-syllable structure gives it a simple elegance while remaining distinctive in most contemporary settings.

Lost in limbo for decades and decades, Elsa now stands a good chance of following along in the progression from Emma to Ella to Etta, thanks to the ice queen heroine who "Let It Go" in the wildly popular Disney movie Frozen. The name shot all the up to Number 286 (its highest ranking since the 1890s) in the year after the release of the movie, though it's now dropped back down the list in the US.

Eltha is an uncommon feminine name with uncertain origins. It may be a variant of more familiar names like Elda, Eltha, or Elsa, or possibly derived from Old English elements. The name has never been popular enough to rank in mainstream naming charts in the United States or other English-speaking countries. Eltha carries a vintage quality reminiscent of names popular in the early 20th century. Its rarity makes it distinctive, offering parents seeking an uncommon name with traditional sounds an interesting option. The name has a gentle, flowing quality with its soft 'th' sound in the middle.