"from the Aemilius family"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
Emily
Pronunciation: [ EHM-ihl-ee ]
Does Emily flow with your last name?
A poet's name with twelve years at the top
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Elegant
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Emily
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"industrious, hardworking"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
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The Story of Emily
Emily derives from the Latin Aemilia, the feminine form of the Roman family name Aemilius, thought to come from the Latin aemulus meaning rival or eager to emulate. The Aemilii were one of Rome's great patrician families. The name entered English via the Old French Emilie and has been in continuous use since the medieval period.
Emily was the #1 girl's name in the United States for an extraordinary 12 consecutive years from 1996 to 2007 — a record unsurpassed in the Social Security Administration's records. It was carried to prominence by the Brontë sister Emily (Wuthering Heights), poet Emily Dickinson, and a general love of Victorian names in the 1980s and 1990s.
Emily Dickinson is considered one of America's greatest poets, writing nearly 1,800 poems in isolation that revolutionized American poetry. Emily Brontë wrote Wuthering Heights in 1847, considered a masterpiece of English literature. Emily Post defined American etiquette for generations.
Historical Record
Emily first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 814,555 babies have been named Emily in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Emily is past its peak , currently ranked #25 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Emily was the #1 girl's name in the US for 12 consecutive years from 1996 to 2007, a record
- Emily Dickinson wrote nearly 1,800 poems, fewer than 10 of which were published in her lifetime
- The Roman patrician name Aemilia appeared on inscriptions dating back to the 2nd century BCE
Emily in Other Languages
French
Émilie
German
Emilia
Italian
Emilia
Russian
Эмили
Spanish
Emilia
Japanese
エミリー
Popularity Over Time
#25
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1996
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Emily
E
Emily Blunt
Actor
1983
British-American actress known for The Devil Wears Prada, Edge of Tomorrow, and Oppenheimer
E
Emily Dickinson
Writer
1830
American poet whose unconventional work revolutionized poetry; largely unpublished in her lifetime
E
Emily Bronte
Writer
1818
English novelist and poet best known for Wuthering Heights, one of the finest novels in English literature
E
E
Emily Cooper Fictional
Other
The optimistic Chicago marketing executive navigating life in Paris in Netflix's Emily in Paris
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Compare Emily with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #25
- Total SSA Count
- 5,955
- Cultural Origins
- English American French German Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Em
Emmy
Millie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 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
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Emily
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Emily is also used as a boy name, ranked #8972.
View Emily as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Igbo origin
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Alice
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Old High German origin
"noble natured"
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Isla
Girl
Scottish Gaelic from Islay island in Scotland origin
"island"
#35 in US
Penelope
Girl
Greek origin
"faithful wife (mythological)"
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"lady, queen"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Emily
What does the name Emily mean?
"from the Aemilius family" (from Latin). "industrious, hardworking" (from Latin). Emily derives from the Latin Aemilia, the feminine form of the Roman family name Aemilius, thought to come from the Latin aemulus meaning rival or eager to emulate. The Aemilii were one of Rome's great patrician families. The name entered English via the Old French Emilie and has been in continuous use since the medieval period.
What is the origin of the name Emily?
Emily has Latin, English, American, French, German, and Spanish origins. In Latin, it means "from the Aemilius family". In Latin, it means "industrious, hardworking".
Is Emily a boy or girl name?
Emily is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #25. As a boy name, it is ranked #8972. 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 #25 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Emily?
Common nicknames for Emily include Emmy and Millie.
What are good middle names for Emily?
Popular middle name pairings include Emily Rose, Emily Grace, Emily Claire, Emily Jane, Emily Anne, Emily Kate, and Emily Mae.
What are good sibling names for Emily?
Names that pair well with Emily as siblings include Ethan, Noah, Sophie, Lily, William, Charlotte, and James.
How many syllables does Emily have?
Emily has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Emily a common or rare name?
Emily is a very popular name, ranked #25 among girl names in the United States.
What girl names are similar to Emily?
About the Name Emily
Emily is a girl name with English, American, French, German, and Spanish origins . The name means "from the Aemilius family" in Latin .
Is Emily a boy or girl name? Emily is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #25 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #8,972. Emily is more commonly used as a girl name.
Emily is currently ranked #25 in popularity for girl 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 Millie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Emily include Emilia, 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