Skip Ancestry navigation Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • First Name Meanings
      • Last Name Meanings
      • Individual Records Search
      • Family Trees Support
      • Start a New Tree
      • Upload a GEDCOM
      Loading
      • Search All Records
      • Census & Electoral Rolls
      • Birth, Marriage & Death, including Parish
      • Military
      • Wills & Probate
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Schools, Directories & Church Histories
      • Public Member Trees
      • Card Catalogue
      • Member Search
      Memories
      Loading
      • Register a kit
      • AncestryDNA® Learning Hub
      • Traits Learning Hub
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA® Support
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Discover More Family Names with an Ancestry 14-day Free Trial* 
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Blog
      • About Us
      • Site Map
      • Gift Memberships
      • Careers
        • Ancestry Corporate
        • Fold3.com
        • ForcesWarRecords.com
        • Geneanet.org
        • Newspapers.com
        • ProGenealogists.com
        • RootsWeb.com
      • © 2002-2026 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Cookies
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company
      Group of people

      Meaning of the first name Elsa

      Origin

      Scandinavian

      Meaning

      Short form of Elizabeth

      Variations

      Celsa, Helsa, Chelsa
      The name Elsa originates from Scandinavian and is derived from the longer name Elizabeth. In Scandinavian, Elsa is considered a diminutive form of Elizabeth, meaning it is a shortened version or a nickname of the original name. The name Elizabeth itself is of Hebrew origin, meaning God is my oath. This connection suggests that Elsa carries a similar meaning but in a more abbreviated form.

      In terms of historical usage, the name Elsa gained popularity during the Middle Ages and has been recorded in various forms across different regions. It is believed to have been introduced to the English-speaking world through the influence of Queen Elizabeth I of England. The name Elsa appeared in literature and mythology, notably in Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale The Snow Queen, where the protagonist is named Elsa. This further contributed to its emergence and recognition in popular culture.

      In modern-day usage, the name Elsa continues to be popular in Scandinavian countries as well as in English-speaking regions. Its simplicity and elegance have made it a favored choice for parents seeking a feminine and timeless name for their daughters. Additionally, the character Elsa, from Disney's animated film Frozen, has brought considerable attention to the name in recent years, giving it a renewed sense of appeal and familiarity. Overall, Elsa remains a name rooted in Scandinavian heritage but embraced globally for its charming simplicity and rich historical associations.

      Based on our records...

      Andersson

      Andersson

      This is the most common surname associated with Elsa.
      Nils

      Nils

      This is the most common name of those married to a Elsa.
      Nils

      Nils

      This is the most common name for a child of a Elsa.
      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

      What are you curious about?

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Start a free trial
      Order AncestryDNA
      calendar.webp
      Based on our records...

      Did you know?

      1899 is when there were the most people born with the first name Elsa.

      Explore the origins of another name.