Esmond

Meaning of Esmond

Esmond, pronounced EZ-mund (/ˈɛzmənd/), is a masculine given name of Old English derivation, composed of the elements ēad (wealth or prosperity) and mund (protection), thus etymologically signifying prosperous protection. Historically, the appellation has surfaced in Anglo-American cultural registers, most prominently in William Makepeace Thackeray’s 1852 novel The History of Henry Esmond and in the career of the British actor Esmond Knight, illustrating its understated presence in literary and theatrical circles. Despite its venerable pedigree, the name remains uncommon within contemporary U.S. naming practice; according to the Social Security Administration, Esmond registered only seven occurrences in 2024, securing the 917th position, a continuation of its characteristic rarity since the early twentieth century.