Ebba
Primarily a girl's name of Old English origin with 899 recorded births. Also given to 22 boys.
Meaning & Origin
a female given name
Ebba is a girl's and boy's baby name of Old English origin, from the Old English name Æbbe, a short form of names beginning with the element ēad (wealth, fortune), or from the Old Norse ebb, meaning 'fortune' or 'strength' — the name of a 7th-century Anglo-Saxon princess who became one of the founding figures of English Christianity.
With over 899 recorded births, Ebba is primarily used in Scandinavia as a classic feminine name, particularly in Sweden where it has been consistently popular for generations. Saint Ebba the Elder was an Anglo-Saxon princess who founded a double monastery at Coldingham and was the sister of King Oswald of Northumbria. As a Scandinavian name, Ebba has a clean, crisp elegance that has made it a beloved choice for several generations of Swedish parents.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Ebba belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their open, warm ending — a soft ending that crosses many language boundaries. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Within the Old English naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Old English names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Ebba’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Ebba has 70+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1888.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 66 | #8433 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 108 | #10751 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 26 | #14825 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 18 | #5320 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 11 | #4773 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 23 | #4179 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 109 | #3126 | ▼ |
| 1910s | 189 | #1567 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 143 | #1098 | ▼ |
| 1890s | 175 | #742 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 31 | #663 | — |
The Story of Ebba
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1898, Ebba is a name steeped in history. Girls named Ebba are most likely born between 1888 and 1908.
How rare is Ebba?
Only about 1 in every 240,000 babies born in 2024 was named Ebba — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1888, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1910s with 189 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Ebba by the numbers
- Would fill 19 school buses
- Meeting one Ebba per day would take 2.5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(70 years, 1888–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15 | #7312 |
| 2023 | 20 | #6016 |
| 2022 | 9 | #10597 |
| 2021 | 11 | #9134 |
| 2020 | 11 | #9106 |
| 2019 | 15 | #7460 |
| 2018 | 14 | #7878 |
| 2017 | 13 | #8417 |
| 2016 | 12 | #9035 |
| 2015 | 13 | #8590 |
| 2014 | 12 | #9132 |
| 2013 | 5 | #17288 |
| 2012 | 5 | #17612 |
| 2011 | 9 | #11463 |
| 2010 | 10 | #10636 |
| 2009 | 5 | #18085 |
| 2006 | 7 | #13999 |
| 2005 | 9 | #11166 |
| 2001 | 5 | #16050 |
| 1957 | 6 | #5594 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Ebba as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Ebba has also been given to 22 boys in the U.S. since 2013.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ebba a boy's or girl's name?
When was Ebba most popular?
How popular is the name Ebba?
Can Ebba be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1888–2024