esmee as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of esmee

What is the meaning of the name esmee ?

The baby name esmee is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced EZ-may (ˈɛz.meɪ),EZ-mee (ˈɛz.miː).

esmee is French in Origin.

Esmee is a streamlined modern form of the French Esmée, the feminine counterpart to Esmé. The name traces to Old French esmer/esmerer, from Latin aestimare “to value, esteem,” hence the meaning “esteemed” or by extension “beloved.” Accents are often retained in French (Esmée/Esmé) and dropped in English and Dutch usage, where Esmee/Esme predominates. Pronunciations typically rhyme with “may” (EZ-may), though French favors a softer final vowel.

Used for men in early modern France and Scotland - note Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox (16th century) - the name later shifted toward feminine use and enjoyed an English revival from the late 19th century. J. D. Salinger’s For Esmé - with Love and Squalor further acquainted English readers in 1950. Today Esmee/Esmée is especially popular in the Netherlands and Belgium, with Esme/Esmé ranking well in the UK and appearing steadily in the United States. Variants include Esmée, Esmé, Esme, and Esmee.