Of Hebrew origin.
Short form of the name Elizabeth, from Elisabeth.
From the Greek form “Ελισάβετ”, of the name Elisheva.
It means “pledge to God”.
Elsa was one of the main characters in “Lohengrin”, the romantic opera composed in 1850 by Richard Wagner.
Alternative forms of the name are Else, Elsie, Elyse, Lizzy, Lisa, Ella, Izabella, Beth, Bella, Isabel, Betsy, Bessie, Lillian, Elisabeth, Isobel, Elisavet, Lisbeth, Elisa.
Elsa is a popular name in Sweden and Finland.
Famous bearers are Elsa Schiaparelli, Elsa Martinelli, Elsa Zylberstein, Elsa Maxwell, Elsa Lanchester, Elsa Pataky, Elsa Cárdenas, Elsa Lunghini.