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Ema

Girl name · 17 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Ema: 17 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 4 births in 2014.

Ema is a graceful variant of the classic name Emma, which itself derives from the Germanic word *ermen*, meaning "whole" or "universal". While Emma has deep roots in royal and literary circles, Ema stands as a popular spelling in many European countries, particularly across Slavic and Nordic regions. In Scotland, it has been used increasingly since the late 20th century. Notable bearers include Croatian singer Ema Kovač, known for her Eurovision participation, and Japanese actress Ema Fujisawa. The name's connection to Emma means it shares etymological roots with places such as Emma, Queensland in Australia. Interestingly, Ema also holds meaning in Japanese, where it can denote a "picture" or "blessing", but in a Scottish context its Germanic heritage shines brightest.