Esmeralda

es-meh-RAHL-da; ez-meh-RAHL-dah; Izh-muh-RAHL-dah
Spanish and Portuguese
"emerald"

Esmeralda Origin and Meaning

The name Esmeralda is a girl's name of Spanish, Portuguese origin meaning "emerald".

Esmeralda came into use as an applied use of the Spanish word for emerald, esmeralda. In the 1831 Victor Hugo novel Notre-Dame de Paris, also known as The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, the heroine was born Agnes, but called La Esmeralda in reference to the jewel she wears around her neck. The name Esmeralda got increased visibility via the Disney version of the story.

This Portuguese and Spanish version of the jewel-like Emerald has long been popular with Hispanic parents. Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling named their first daughter Esmeralda, inspired by the Victor Hugo novel. Read more about Esmeralda and other Disney Princess Names in our featured blog.

# 342 in the US

Esmeralda Rank in US Top 1000

# 786 on Nameberry

Esmeralda Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Esmeralda Popularity

Famous People Named Esmeralda

  • (María) Esmeralda Pimentel
    Mexican actress
  • Esmeralda "Es" Devlin
    British costume designer
  • Esmeralda Santiago
    Puerto Rican novelist and actress
  • Esmeralda Labye
    Belgian TV journalist
  • Esmeralda de Jesus Freitas Garcia
    Brazilian track athlete
  • Esmeralda Alejandrina Yaniche
    Venezuelan beauty queen
  • Esmeralda Amada Gosling
    daughter of Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes

Esmeralda in Pop Culture

  • Esmeralda
    character in book/film "The Hunchback of Notre Dame"
  • Esmeralda
    Frank's young cousin in "The Wasp Factory," by Iain Banks
  • Esmeralda
    character on TV's "Bewitched"
  • Esmeralda (Took) Brandybuck
    hobbit mentioned in "The Lord of the Rings" series
  • Esmeralda Hallow
    older sister of Ethel and Sybil on BBC's "The Worst Witch"
  • Lucille Esmeralda "Lucy" Ricardo
    titular character of the show "I Love Lucy"