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Essa

Boy name · 17 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Essa: 17 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 6 births in 2023.

Essa has two primary origins: it is an Arabic name, a variant of Isa (Jesus), meaning “God is salvation,” and it can also be a short form of the Old English name Esmond, meaning “grace-protection.” Famous bearers include Iraqi artist Essa al-Ani and American boxer Essa Muhammad, representing the name’s multicultural reach. The township of Essa in Ontario, Canada, derives its name from a British military officer, though it shares no direct etymological link. A further note: in Scotland, Essa has emerged as a modern unisex choice, often seen as an alternative to Esme or Isla, reflecting a trend toward concise, globally inspired names.