"Rival; to emulate; eager"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
Emilia
Pronunciation: [ uhm-EEL-ee-uh ]
Does Emilia flow with your last name?
Roman aristocracy meets Shakespearean fire
Italian
Spanish
English
Swedish
Polish
Elegant
Classic
Literary
Sophisticated
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"From the Roman family name Aemilius; variant of Emily and Amelia with Italian and Spanish flair"
Origin: Italian
Language: Italian
"rival, eager to excel"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
"industrious, striving"
Origin: Roman
Language: Latin
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The Story of Emilia
Emilia is the feminine form of the Roman family name Aemilius, derived from the Latin 'aemulus' meaning 'rival' or 'trying to equal'. The Aemilii were one of Rome's most distinguished patrician families, giving the name aristocratic roots. Shakespeare used both Emilia (in Othello) and Emilia (in The Winter's Tale), cementing its literary pedigree.
Emilia surged in popularity in the 2010s, propelled largely by actress Emilia Clarke, who played Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones from 2011 to 2019. The show's massive global following brought the name to millions of screens simultaneously, creating one of the most direct celebrity naming impacts of the decade.
The region of Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy takes its name from the ancient Roman Via Aemilia road. In Shakespeare's Othello, Emilia is Iago's wife and Desdemona's attendant — a complex, ultimately heroic character who speaks truth to power at great personal cost.
Historical Record
Emilia first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 60,024 babies have been named Emilia in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Emilia is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #43 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Emilia Clarke's portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen is directly credited with making Emilia a top-20 name in the US
- The region of Emilia-Romagna in Italy, home to Bologna, Parma, and Ferrari's headquarters, shares this name
- Shakespeare wrote two notable Emilia characters — in Othello and The Winter's Tale
Emilia in Other Languages
French
Émilie
German
Emilia
Polish
Emilia
Italian
Emilia
Russian
Эмилия
Spanish
Emilia
Swedish
Emilia
Popularity Over Time
#43
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Emilia
E
Emilia Clarke
Actor
1986
British actress who played Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones and starred in Me Before You
E
Emilia Romagna
Other
Northern Italian region named after the ancient Roman road Via Aemilia, known for Parma ham, Parmigiano cheese, and Ferr...
Northern Italian region named after the ancient Roman road Via Aemilia, known for Parma ham, Parmigiano cheese, and Ferrari cars
E
Emilia (Shakespeare) Fictional
Other
Iago's wife and Desdemona's attendant in Shakespeare's Othello, who ultimately reveals the truth at the cost of her life
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #43
- Total SSA Count
- 4,634
- Cultural Origins
- Italian Spanish English Swedish Polish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Emi
Mia
Milly
Millie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 4-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 4-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 4-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Emilia
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Emilia is also used as a boy name, ranked #14798.
View Emilia as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Italian)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Emilia
What does the name Emilia mean?
"Rival; to emulate; eager" (from Latin). "From the Roman family name Aemilius; variant of Emily and Amelia with Italian and Spanish flair" (from Italian). "rival, eager to excel" (from Latin). "industrious, striving" (from Roman). Emilia is the feminine form of the Roman family name Aemilius, derived from the Latin 'aemulus' meaning 'rival' or 'trying to equal'. The Aemilii were one of Rome's most distinguished patrician families, giving the name aristocratic roots. Shakespeare used both Emilia (in Othello) and Emilia (in The Winter's Tale), cementing its literary pedigree.
What is the origin of the name Emilia?
Emilia has Latin, Italian, Roman, Spanish, English, Swedish, and Polish origins. In Latin, it means "Rival; to emulate; eager". In Italian, it means "From the Roman family name Aemilius; variant of Emily and Amelia with Italian and Spanish flair". In Latin, it means "rival, eager to excel". In Roman, it means "industrious, striving".
Is Emilia a boy or girl name?
Emilia is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #43. As a boy name, it is ranked #14798. Emilia is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Emilia?
Emilia is pronounced uhm-EEL-ee-uh.
How popular is the name Emilia?
Emilia is currently ranked #43 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Emilia?
Common nicknames for Emilia include Emi, Mia, Milly, and Millie.
What are good middle names for Emilia?
Popular middle name pairings include Emilia Rose, Emilia Grace, Emilia Jane, Emilia Claire, Emilia Kate, Emilia Violet, and Emilia Lucia.
What are good sibling names for Emilia?
Names that pair well with Emilia as siblings include Sofia, Isabella, Olivia, Marco, Sebastian, Matteo, and Lucia.
How many syllables does Emilia have?
Emilia has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Emilia a common or rare name?
Emilia is a very popular name, ranked #43 among girl names in the United States.
What girl names are similar to Emilia?
About the Name Emilia
Emilia is a girl name with Italian, Spanish, English, Swedish, and Polish origins . The name means "Rival; to emulate; eager" in Latin .
Is Emilia a boy or girl name? Emilia is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #43 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #14,798. Emilia is more commonly used as a girl name.
Emilia is currently ranked #43 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Emilia has 4 syllables and is pronounced uhm-EEL-ee-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Emilia include Emi, Mia, Milly, and Millie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Emilia include Emily, Emiliana, Emilie, Emilee, Emilly . 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