As a teenager who’s named Elsa, I personally hate my name. It was cool for elementary school me when a movie had my name in it, but its been over a half a decade and I still get Frozen comments now and then and it’s really annoying. I was named after a distant Norwegian cousin whose name is Else (pronounced Elsa), but I’ve been going by Elle for over a year now because I feel more comfortable with it. Honestly, Elsa is a really pretty name and I get compliments a lot if I do introduce myself to someone as Elsa (mostly older ladies), but Frozen has ruined it for me and I feel like it’s no longer unique to who I am.
― Anonymous User 1/11/2023
13
It’s a nice name but it’s too associated with queen Elsa.
― Anonymous User 10/12/2022
8
I’m not saying this wouldn’t work on an adult, but I feel like if a kindergartner had this name, she’d be the most popular person in her class because of it.
This name is simple, feminine, classic, and rarely used. While it has a media association, it is positive/neutral and would not be a consideration for me. As someone who has an uncommon name that was used in a movie and became a cultural reference for a time, it was sometimes a minor annoyance, sometimes a way for people to connect with me, but never a big deal and never something that made me not love my name. I suspect little Elsas would feel the same way. I would use this name.
My name is Elsa and I have liked it my whole life. My family often call me nicknames like Els or Elsie or Elsa Rose (my first and middle name). I am thirteen so I have been familiar with the Frozen references- Let It Go and Do You Want to Build a Snowman- for a long time, however they don't annoy me so I just tend to brush it of or play along. Many people like my name and say it is pretty or that it suits me (I have fair skin with lots of freckles, brown hair and hazel eyes). I have only met a few Elsas before who all like their names as well.
― Anonymous User 4/19/2020
12
It's a pretty great name. I would love it if it weren't for Frozen. Ordinarily I don't care about fictional namesakes, especially not if they're protagonists, but I get the impression that Frozen is going to be popular for a really long time, and I really dislike Elsa, so...yeah. But with that aside, this is an amazing name! It makes me think of Iceland, even though I've never been there, and it's such a great alternative to Elizabeth. If you want to use it, I think you should go for it, unless you're like me and the Frozen association bothers you. If you want a different super cultural variant of Elizabeth, Elisabetta, Liana, and Isabel are great. Isa is pretty similar to Elsa. So is Elsie, which is also a great name (and my cousin's name).
I would like it if it weren't for that dreadful Disney movie.
― Anonymous User 3/26/2020
5
This name is very pretty and is a nice diminutive of the more formal name, Elisabeth. With that said, I would be very reluctant in selecting this name for any child I may have in light of how deeply entrenched this name has become with the Disney IP known as Frozen.
― Anonymous User 2/21/2020
6
Very elegant and regal, fitting for a snow queen.
― Anonymous User 1/21/2020
5
As for how I imagine an Elsa, when I think of this name I see a woman in her early thirties, slim and finely built, with dark blonde/light brown, medium-length hair, big, dark blue eyes and pale skin, with irregular features but an interesting face. She is stylish, classy, elegant and sophisticated, calm and gentle, but not in an ostentatious or pretentious way, it's very natural and people respect her and admire her for that. She has a good taste in terms of what she wears, as well as music, literature and film, and is quite cultured.
Elsa is not a Portuguese name. But since my childhood I never thought of that because my mom's name is Elsa (with s) and only just recently I’ve come to understand that is actually a Nordic name. What made me even more curious is that most people pronounce it with an Z (out of Portugal, I mean). I think is a very strong name, possibly because I see its users and I see strong people. I don’t associate it with Frozen, but I think it’s a good name for the character.
― Anonymous User 6/16/2019
3
I absolutely love the name Elsa, but I hate how everyone associates it with "Frozen". I've never watched it and I don't have any particular opinion about the movie, but I just feel it gives this name a way too mainstream feel. And I don't like how everyone here in Poland pronounces it as Elza, I mean it's quite natural because Elza is a Polish name, so it's easier, plus I really like the name Elza as well, but Elsa written and pronounced with s sounds much better. I like the Nordic feel this name has, and I like it both on its own or as a diminutive of Elisabeth/Elisabet. It's interesting how strong and delicate it is at the same time, and I think it ages well.
Due to the character from Indiana Jones, I never thought about the name as anything else but an antagonist. The movie Frozen and the adaptation on Once Upon a Time changed my opinion about that name; after all, I find the two best powers to be hydrokinesis and cryokinesis, and Elsa has the latter.
I personally love the name Elsa, no matter the pronunciation (Though I do prefer the Finnish and German versions over the English version). And whenever I think of the name the first person that comes into mind is Dr. Elsa Schneider from "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" (One of my favorite characters and movies of all time). I always forget the character from Frozen exists... but whenever I remember she exists I always get sad because I realize that if I were to use the name for anything, despite it already being a name (a fairly popular one at that), people are going to think I'm using the name because I'm a fan of Frozen (which I'm really not, it was a less-than average movie in my opinion, and severely overrated).
I just don't think it's a pretty name and never did. It sounds very dated. Still, Elsa is my favorite Disney character ever! Hope this doesn't become another 'Emma' -- overrated and overused.
I wish I knew this as a nickname option for Elizabeth/Elisabeth before I knew about Frozen, haha. It's cute but the movie association makes me not want to use it.
― Anonymous User 9/6/2015
4
I've always found this name beautiful, and highly doubt that Frozen will lead to it being overused. It just doesn't sound like a name that will ever be common. Elsa is, however, classic, old-fashioned, and strong. I love it. (Yes, even more so now that one of my favorite princesses has it. And naturally, when a favorite character sports a name, that frequently increases my fondness for the name if I didn't like it initially. But even without The Little Mermaid, Ariel would still be a favorite as well!)
I do really love this name, and always have. However, I can't help but think of the queen from Frozen now. That's not a bad thing, but it's not the best thing either. My view on this name is now neutral, if anything.
Not a bad name so no hate with it, but how many girls are running around with this name because of the movie 'Frozen?' The name was obviously used well before the movie was ever a thought, but I think it's safe to say that it made the name more well known and popular. At least in the US or other English speaking countries.
― Anonymous User 10/11/2014
14
I LOVE this name! And I LOVE Queen Elsa of Arendelle! :D.
― Anonymous User 10/5/2014
8
I really used to like this name when I was younger because of the Jacqueline Wilson book, 'The Bed and Breakfast Star'. I've gone off it since. It sounds a bit harsh. Also I'm not a fan of the film (Frozen). Elsa irritates me a bit.
Slight night shiver: You basically just predicted Elsa in Frozen almost exactly (except for the upper middle class part, because she's royalty and therefore upper upper class), years before Frozen came out. Wow.
― Anonymous User 8/4/2014
21
I also feel that you should use a long aristocrat type of middle name because it sounds good with Elsa and also the image of queen Elsa is going to be with this name forever to be honest, because it's such a good movie. Here's some ideas Elsa Katherine or Elsa Catherine Elsa Corinne Elsa Rachel Elsa Adelaide Elsa Charlotte Elsa Anastasia Elsa Veronica Elsa Victoria Elsa Kathleen Elsa Josephine Elsa Arabella Elsa Caroline Elsa Madeline Elsa Odelia Elsa Ophelia Elsa Christina Elsa Wilhelmina Elsa Genevieve Elsa Aurelia Elsa Simone Elsa Gabrielle Elsa Matilda Elsa Aurora.
This name is really pretty and elegant. I always now, because of frozen, imagine a classy woman wearing purple and very graceful in life.
― Anonymous User 7/28/2014
6
Okay, Frozen didn't make this name to be reborn in America. It was the name because if you look at the chart you notice that it has been on the rise since 2009. So it's not random and even if it did reach the top 100, who cares?! Because it's not like I met every Sophie. Or it could be one area for example- they can be a name on the top ten but you probably never meet a girl with that name because most of the reports come from somewhere like new york but can be unheard of in California. I know for a fact because I work at a preschool and I have never heard of a Disney princess name reaching the top ten so you won't have to worry. If anything, I expect the name Anna is reaching popularity because she's more liked. Frozen is not going to last forever and you should use it to your advantage. Like think about how people will never forget to pronounce her name and she can buy lots of merchandise with her name on it. But most of all don't be afraid to use this name. It's only in the five hundreds and it's very pretty and sweet, also old fashioned too, but at the same time fits with other names so please take a chance. Also here are some ideas Elsa Aurora, Elsa Belle, Elsa Marie, Elsa Winter (to stay true to Disney but if not) Elsa Katherine, Elsa Alexandra, Elsa Natalia and finally Elsa Adelaide.
It's not my favorite, but I still like it. I think it'd be a nice break from the overused name Ella, and it's a heck of a lot more imaginative/non-trendy.
― Anonymous User 3/28/2013
2
It's my name and, personally, I'm not a fan. However, Elsa has the advantage of being short and therefore, it cannot be turned into a stupid nickname.
― Anonymous User 1/17/2012
4
I quite like this name, it sounds quite refreshing. :) . But the thing is with this name, is that it's quite an old lady-esque name in Britain, and I suppose in America as well. But contrary to this, I think it's a really great name that would suit any age, and I think it suits a young girl more than it would an old lady. :)
For some weird reason, I have always imagined this to be a great name for an aloof, enigmatic, somewhat emotionally cold, yet absolutely gorgeous young female character in a a movie that has an upper middle class background and either blond hair and blue eyes or red hair and green eyes and pale skin. I used to love the name, but I remember it to have a religious etymology of some kind, and I want to use names that are as secular as possible.