Find out how popular the first name Essa has been for the last 47 years (from 1978 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Essa by gender

Based on the last 47 years of data, Essa is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 85% of people named Essa being male.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 38 male babies and 7 female babies born with the name Essa.

The history of the first name Essa

The name Essa originates from the Arabic language and has been in use for centuries across the Middle East and parts of North Africa. It is derived from the Arabic word "Issa," which is a variant of the name Jesus. In Arabic, the name Essa means "God is salvation" or "God is the savior."

Historically, the name Essa has been associated with Islam and its holy scriptures, particularly the Quran, where it is used to refer to Jesus Christ. The Quran mentions Essa as a prophet and messenger of God who was given the ability to perform miracles and spread the word of God.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Essa can be found in the writings of Muslim scholars from the 7th and 8th centuries CE. These scholars often referred to Jesus Christ as Essa, in accordance with the Islamic tradition.

Throughout history, there have been several notable figures who bore the name Essa. One of the most famous was Essa ibn Musa al-Naushari, an 8th-century Arab mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the development of algebra and trigonometry.

Another prominent individual with the name Essa was Essa al-Muhallabi, a 9th-century Arab poet and scholar who was known for his mastery of Arabic literature and his contributions to the field of philology.

In the 12th century, Essa ibn Masah al-Jahiz was a renowned Arab philosopher and writer who addressed various topics, including theology, ethics, and zoology.

During the Ottoman Empire, Essa Pasha was a prominent 16th-century Ottoman statesman and military commander who served as the governor of several provinces and played a significant role in the expansion of Ottoman territories.

More recently, Essa Moosa was a South African anti-apartheid activist and religious leader who played a crucial role in the struggle against racial segregation in the 20th century.

These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Essa, reflecting its deep-rooted cultural and religious significance within the Arab and Islamic world.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Essa was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Essa, please contact us.

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