"rival, industrious"
Origin: Latin Aemilius
Language: English
Emily
Pronunciation: [ EHM-ihl-ee ]
Does Emily flow with your last name?
Literature's favorite name, worn boldly by a boy
English
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German
Italian
Classic
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Traditional
Literary
Elegant
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Emily
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"eager, emulating"
Origin: Latin aemulus
Language: Latin
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Things to Know About This Name
- Emily is overwhelmingly perceived as a girls name; using it for a boy is a bold gender-norm-challenging choice that may require explanation
The Story of Emily
Emily derives from the Latin Aemilia, the feminine form of the Roman family name Aemilius, meaning rival or industrious, from aemulus. The Aemilii were one of Rome's most ancient and distinguished patrician families. Emily became one of the most beloved names in English literature, carried by Emily Bronte, Emily Dickinson, and countless fictional heroines.
Emily was the number one girls name in the US for over a decade (1996-2007), fueled by its classic sound, literary associations, and widespread appeal. For a boy, Emily is an extremely rare and gender-defying choice.
Emily holds one of the highest places in English literary culture, most famously through Emily Bronte (Wuthering Heights) and Emily Dickinson (Because I could not stop for Death). As a boys name, it challenges conventional gender naming in a powerful way.
Historical Record
Emily first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,638 babies have been named Emily in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Emily is past its peak , currently ranked #8,972 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Emily was the most popular girls name in the US every year from 1996 to 2007
- Emily Dickinson wrote over 1,800 poems, most published after her death
- Emily Bronte wrote Wuthering Heights at only 29 years old
Emily in Other Languages
Latin
Aemilia
French
Emilie
German
Emilie
Italian
Emilia
Spanish
Emilia
Popularity Over Time
#8,972
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1989
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #8,972
- Total SSA Count
- 10
- Cultural Origins
- English American German Italian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Em
Emmy
Mile
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Emily
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Emily is also used as a girl name, ranked #25.
View Emily as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Emily
What does the name Emily mean?
"rival, industrious" (from Latin Aemilius). "eager, emulating" (from Latin aemulus). Emily derives from the Latin Aemilia, the feminine form of the Roman family name Aemilius, meaning rival or industrious, from aemulus. The Aemilii were one of Rome's most ancient and distinguished patrician families. Emily became one of the most beloved names in English literature, carried by Emily Bronte, Emily Dickinson, and countless fictional heroines.
What is the origin of the name Emily?
Emily has Latin Aemilius, Latin aemulus, English, American, German, and Italian origins. In Latin Aemilius, it means "rival, industrious". In Latin aemulus, it means "eager, emulating".
Is Emily a boy or girl name?
Emily is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #8972. As a girl name, it is ranked #25. Emily is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Emily?
Emily is pronounced EHM-ihl-ee.
How popular is the name Emily?
Emily is currently ranked #8972 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Emily?
Common nicknames for Emily include Emmy and Mile.
What are good middle names for Emily?
Popular middle name pairings include Emily James, Emily Sage, Emily River, Emily Blue, Emily Wren, and Emily Cole.
What are good sibling names for Emily?
Names that pair well with Emily as siblings include Emma, Charlotte, Olivia, Henry, Liam, and Oliver.
How many syllables does Emily have?
Emily has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Emily a common or rare name?
Emily is an uncommon name, ranked #8972 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Emily?
About the Name Emily
Emily is a boy name with English, American, German, and Italian origins . The name means "rival, industrious" in Latin Aemilius .
Is Emily a boy or girl name? Emily is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #8,972 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #25. Emily is more commonly used as a girl name.
Emily is currently ranked #8,972 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Emily has 3 syllables and is pronounced EHM-ihl-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Emily include Em, Emmy, and Mile. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Emily include Emiliano, Emilio, Emil, Emile, Emilliano . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis