Esma

female

Origin

Persian (Farsi) - From the Middle Persian 'isma' meaning 'belief' or 'faith'. The name has ancient roots found in Persian historical texts and is related to concepts of trust and conviction. It is not originally Indigenous Australian or Māori but has been adopted in multicultural Australia.

Meaning

Faith, belief, or trust; conveying a sense of conviction and loyalty in Australian contexts. The name suggests strength of faith and inner conviction, resonating with values of integrity and sincerity.

Pronunciation

/ˈɛzmə/ (IPA), pronounced 'EZ-muh' with emphasis on the first syllable, common in Australian English pronunciation with a soft 's' sound and schwa in the second syllable.

Variants & Nicknames

Variants

  • Esma (original), Esmé (French variant), Isma (variant in some cultures)
  • In Arabic: إسماعيل (Isma'il), which is a different name but sometimes confused in transliteration.
  • Esmah (alternative spelling)

Nicknames

  • Es,
  • Esmi

Name Days

  • 14 May (Ascension of Mary, Christian Feast Day)
  • 24 May (Māori New Year - Matariki) — culturally significant in Māori communities, marking the start of the Māori New Year with celebrations of renewal and hope.
  • 5 August (Feast of Saint Osma)

Name Pairings

Names that pair well with esma:

  • Emma and Chloe','Lily and Grace
  • Ella and Ava'],'Lucy and Sophie
  • Siblings: Esma and Moira

Fun Facts

  • Esma is popular among Australian families embracing multicultural names.
  • The name appears in some Australian literary works as a character name representing resilience.
  • In Australian pop culture, Esma has been used as a name for community projects promoting faith-based initiatives.

Personality Traits

Common traits associated with the name esma:

  • Trusted,
  • Faithful,
  • Loyal,
  • Resilient

Aesthetic Qualities

Clean, elegant, symmetrical visual form with soft vowel sounds; aesthetically well-suited to modern and traditional contexts in Australia, evocative of artistic and faith-based themes.

Geographical Distribution

More common in multicultural urban centres such as Sydney and Melbourne, particularly among Persian, Middle Eastern, and South Asian communities. Less prevalent in rural areas.

Numerological Significance

Name Number 9, associated with humanitarianism, compassion, and idealism, fitting for someone seeking meaningful connection and service—values appreciated in Australian society.

Astrological Connections

Typically associated with the zodiac signs of Scorpio and Pisces, linked to intuition, empathy, and transformation, aligning with the name's themes of faith and resilience.

Historical Context

The name Esma has historical usage across Persian and Middle Eastern cultures and has seen subtle adoption in Australian multicultural communities. It appears in historical records related to Persian scholars and artists. Australian writers have used Esma to evoke characters of strength and faith.

Linguistic Adaptability

The name adapts well into various scripts and languages, maintaining recognisability in Arabic, Persian, Latin, and Cyrillic scripts, often with culturally specific pronunciation variants.

Famous People Named esma

  • Esma Voloder (Model and Miss World Australia 2017),
  • Esma Suljic (Australasian artist)
  • Esma (Fictional character in Australian literature)

Popularity in Australia

Year Count
2024 1
2015 1
2014 1