This beautifully long gemstone name was suggested by a reader who loved this stunning Spanish moniker. If you’d like to get your suggestions heard, submit your favorite names for a name profile, and I would be delighted to write in-depth articles about pros and cons of the names you’re considering. Now, without further ado, here’s the scoop on this appealing sweet spot name.
So what’s so charming about Esmeralda?
Often, the top request for a baby name today is that it not be too popular, but also not unrecognizable, and Esmeralda fits the bill. A sweet spot name, or a name that’s familiar, but not popular, is in high demand as the percentage of children receiving a top ten name diminishes, but parents still aren’t ready to embrace untouched names. Esmeralda, hovering at #377, fits the description of a sweet spot name to a T, making her a possibility for a large audience of expecting parents.
Not only does Esmeralda fit many common needs in terms of popularity, she also belongs to a number of style categories that make her accessible for several different types of namers. The Spanish word for emerald, Esmeralda is an option for Hispanic families looking for names that tie into their roots, as well as people who love gemstone names like Ruby and Pearl but are scouting for a more obscure choice. Esmeralda was first put in the public eye in 1996, when the Disney film, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, was released, an adaptation of the Victor Hugo novel. The film features an Esmeralda as the primary love interest of the movie, making Esmeralda a Disney inspired name as well.
Finally, as it is with most names with four syllables, Esmeralda is teeming with nicknames. Whether your daughter suits the up-and-coming Esme (pronounced EZ-may), cutesy and popular Emmie, or the majestic Zelda, Esmeralda has nicknames galore ready for use. Although her many nicknames are good for everyday use, Esmeralda is lavish and bold in full.
Esmeralda is extravagant! But why isn’t she more popular?
There are quite a few things that seem to be keeping Esmeralda from cracking the top 100, one of which is her size. The top 10 is dominated by sparse monikers like Noah, Liam, Emma, and Mia. A name as long as Esmeralda is statistically at a big disadvantage because of America's fascination with one and two syllable names. Another obstacle preventing her from rising is how lavish and lush she is. While a name like Esmeralda might seem fitting for a grown woman, it can be hard to imagine such an elaborate name on an infant.
Predictions for Esmeralda
Comparing the pros and cons of Esmeralda, it’s very clear that there are many more reasons that Esmeralda could succeed in a quest for popularity than reasons for her to fail. But like any name, she needs a trend to follow that will lend her a ticket into the spotlight, and I think that ticket is Esme. As Esme continues to rise in popularity, parents may start searching for a full name, leading more and more people to Esmeralda. Esmeralda has started to ascend slightly in recent years, and I think the popularity of Esme will secure that.
Sincerely,
~Delphina Moon
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