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The feminine name, Elsa, pronounced as EL-sa is believed to have Teutonic or Germanic origins and means noble with a second meaning of truth, often times combined to mean, noble truth. In Greek, the name is said to mean God is a Vow. Also believed to have evolved from the Hebrew meaning, God's promise, God is her oath, and God's Vow, the implication that Elsa is a name that epitomizes the most honourable of promises cannot be disputed.

This elegant name is considered to be a variant of Elisabeth, or Elizabeth. The name is popular in Germany, as well as Scandinavian countries, particularly Sweden where it ranked #16 in 2006. Many cultures have adopted this name, and have added their own variants of it, such as Elisheba, Elsabet, Ellsabelle, Elza, Elsy, Elysa, Elisa, Elle, Ilsa, Ilse, Alyssa, Ailsa, Aisley, Alice and the Latvian, Ilze.

In North America the name enjoys somewhat less popularity. In 2006, the name reached #792, but enjoyed the zenith of it's popularity thus far in 2003 at #728. Variants of the name, such as Elisa, Elysa, Alyssa and Elsie enjoy far more popularity in North America.

In numerology, the name Elsa reduces to the number one, which suggests that this name belongs to an ambitious, courageous and creative woman with a pioneering, competitive spirit. The name carries with it the promise of inner strength, independence as well as strong willpower.

Namesakes include an asteroid, known as Elsa 182, discovered by Johann Palisa on February 7, 1878. The name was mostly likely influenced by a character in Arthurian legend of Lohegrin who was the son of Percival, a grail knight. Lohegrin was sent to rescue a maiden named Elsa, under the condition he could never reveal his identity to her. The legend is also an opera by Richard Wagner. Elsa is also the name of a starship, in the Xenosaga series of videogames. Other namesakes include towns in Texas and the Yukon.

Celebrities that share the name include super model Elsa Benitez, of Mexico, Spain's Elsa Pataky, also a model and actress, as well as French singer and actor Elsa Lunghini.

Perhaps the best known and loved namesake is Elsa the Lion, from renowned naturalist Joy Adamson's book and film, Born Free', which document Elsa's growth from a lion cub to a full grown lioness. Elsa the Lion was one of three cubs who were orphaned after their mother was shot while charging a man. Later it was learned the lioness charged to protect her nearby young. The cubs were taken in by the Adamson and raised. Eventually

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