"industrious, brave"
Origin: Old Germanic
Language: German
Emery
Pronunciation: [ EHM-er-ee ]
Girl Name
#70 Most Popular
Rising
3 Syllables
Quietly powerful — a rising star among gender-neutral names
American
English
Modern
Strong
Unique
Playful
Bold
Meaning & Origin
"work-power, industrious leader"
Origin: Germanic
Language: German
"work-power, powerful ruler"
Origin: Old High German
Language: German
The Story of Emery
Emery derives from the Old Germanic name 'Amalric' or 'Emmerich,' composed of 'amal' (work) and 'ric' (power or rule), together meaning 'industrious ruler' or 'brave and powerful.' It was a masculine name brought to England by the Normans after 1066 as 'Amaury.' Over centuries, Emery slowly transitioned to unisex use and is now primarily given to girls in the United States, following the same linguistic path as Avery and Aubrey.
Emery began its rise as a US girls' name in the late 2000s and hit the top 200 for girls around 2012, driven by the broader trend of gender-neutral names skewing feminine. It appeals to parents who love the sound of Avery or Emerson but want something slightly more distinctive.
Emery represents the 21st-century American trend of reclaiming historic Germanic names as fresh, modern choices for girls. The prestigious Emory University in Atlanta (a variant spelling) adds an academic connotation to the name's sound, though the university is named after Methodist bishop John Emory.
Fun Facts
- Emory University in Atlanta is named after Methodist bishop John Emory (1789-1835), making the name associated with academic prestige
- The mineral abrasive 'emery' used in emery boards comes from Cape Emeri in Greece — an unrelated etymology from the personal name
Emery in Other Languages
French
Amaury
German
Emmerich
Spanish
Emery
Japanese
エメリー
Famous People Named Emery
E
Emery (band)
Musician
2001
American post-hardcore band from Columbia, South Carolina, known for combining screaming with melodic singing
E
Emery Allen
Writer
1993
American poet known for introspective poetry about growth, healing, and self-discovery, widely shared on social media
E
Emery Moorehead
Athlete
1954
American football player who played as a tight end for the Chicago Bears
E
Emery Roth
Architect
1871
Hungarian-American architect who designed many of New York City's iconic apartment buildings, including the San Remo and...
Hungarian-American architect who designed many of New York City's iconic apartment buildings, including the San Remo and the Beresford on Central Park West
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #70
- Total SSA Count
- 3,197
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Em
Emmy
Pairs Well With
Emery Grace
Emery Rose
Emery Claire
Emery June
Emery Kate
Emery Jade
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Emery is also used as a boy name, ranked #825.
View Emery as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Emery
What does the name Emery mean?
"industrious, brave" (from Old Germanic). "work-power, industrious leader" (from Germanic). "work-power, powerful ruler" (from Old High German). Emery derives from the Old Germanic name 'Amalric' or 'Emmerich,' composed of 'amal' (work) and 'ric' (power or rule), together meaning 'industrious ruler' or 'brave and powerful.' It was a masculine name brought to England by the Normans after 1066 as 'Amaury.' Over centuries, Emery slowly transitioned to unisex use and is now primarily given to girls in the United States, following the same linguistic path as Avery and Aubrey.
What is the origin of the name Emery?
Emery has Old Germanic, Germanic, Old High German, American, and English origins. In Old Germanic, it means "industrious, brave". In Germanic, it means "work-power, industrious leader". In Old High German, it means "work-power, powerful ruler".
Is Emery a boy or girl name?
Emery is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #70. As a boy name, it is ranked #825. Emery is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Emery?
Emery is pronounced EHM-er-ee.
How popular is the name Emery?
Emery is currently ranked #70 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Emery?
Common nicknames for Emery include Em and Emmy.
What are good middle names for Emery?
Popular middle name pairings include Emery Grace, Emery Rose, Emery Claire, Emery June, Emery Kate, and Emery Jade.
What are good sibling names for Emery?
Names that pair well with Emery as siblings include Avery, Hayden, Parker, Riley, Quinn, and Logan.
How many syllables does Emery have?
Emery has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Emery a common or rare name?
Emery is a very popular name, ranked #70 among girl names in the United States.
About the Name Emery
Emery is a girl name with American and English origins . The name means "industrious, brave" in Old Germanic .
Is Emery a boy or girl name? Emery is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #70 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #825. Emery is more commonly used as a girl name.
Emery is currently ranked #70 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Emery has 3 syllables and is pronounced EHM-er-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Emery include Em and Emmy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Emery include Emerson, Emersyn, Emerie, Emerald, Emeri . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.