Embla

girlOld Norse

Embla is an girl name of Old Norse origin, meaning “Debated; possibly 'elm' or 'vine'”.

MeaningDebated; possibly 'elm' or 'vine'
GenderGirl
OriginOld Norse
PronunciationEM-blah
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inSweden, Norway, Iceland

Meaning and origin of Embla

In Norse mythology Embla is the first woman, created along with Ask, the first man, from two pieces of driftwood. Ask means ash tree, and Embla is often explained as elm, though some scholars prefer vine or water. The name has become popular in Sweden and Norway in recent years.

Is Embla a religious name?

Embla comes from pre-Christian Norse myth rather than any living religion, so it is used as a heritage name.

How popular is Embla?

Increasingly popular in Scandinavia.

Gifts with the name Embla

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Spellings and variants of Embla

Emla

Names similar to Embla

More girl names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Embla mean?

Embla means 'Debated; possibly 'elm' or 'vine''. It is of Old Norse origin.

Does Embla have a religious meaning?

Embla comes from pre-Christian Norse myth rather than any living religion, so it is used as a heritage name.

How do you pronounce Embla?

Embla is pronounced EM-blah.

Is Embla a boy or girl name?

Embla is usually a girl name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.