Emily

♀ Girl

Pronounced EM-ih-lee /ˈɛm.ɪ.li/High

Meaning: Rival; one who strives; from the Roman family name AemiliusHigh

In 30 seconds: From the Latin Roman family name Aemilius meaning 'rival,' Emily has been one of the most beloved girls' names in the English-speaking world for over a century.

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Origin HighLatin

MeaningRival; one who strives; from the Roman family name Aemilius

Peak year1999

Total births (all-time)≈ 841,491

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Emily is the English feminine form of the Latin Aemilius, a Roman family name possibly derived from the Latin aemulus meaning 'rival' or 'trying to equal.' The feminine form Aemilia was used in ancient Rome; its English form Emily arrived via French.

Emily was extremely popular in the 19th century, borne by literary greats Emily Brontë and Emily Dickinson. It was the #1 U.S. girls' name from 1996 to 2007 — a remarkable 12-year run. Though no longer #1, it remains in the top 20 and is perennially among the most-recognized girls' names.

Did you know? Emily Dickinson (1830–1886), who wrote nearly 1,800 poems but published fewer than a dozen in her lifetime, is now recognized as one of the greatest American poets. Her reclusive life and later fame may have contributed to the name's enduring literary cachet.

Variations

EmiliaEmileAmelieEmilia

Nicknames

EmEmmyEmi

Famous Bearers

★Emily Dickinson (1830–1886)
American poet, one of the most important figures in U.S. literary history.
★Emily Brontë (1818–1848)
English novelist and poet, author of Wuthering Heights.
★Emily Blunt (1983–)
British-American actress, Academy Award winner.

If you like Emily…

Emma— shares the Em- start and the same classic top-charts trajectory

Amelia— closely related name with the same Germanic/Latin feel

Evelyn— shares the vintage literary charm

Ella— short, crisp classic with the same enduring appeal

Claire— equally elegant, simple classic with literary associations

Frequently Asked

What does the name Emily mean?

Emily derives from the Latin Roman family name Aemilius, meaning 'rival' or 'one who strives to equal,' and has been associated with industriousness.

How do you pronounce Emily?

Emily is pronounced EM-ih-lee /ˈɛm.ɪ.li/ — three syllables, with stress on the first.

Is Emily a boy or girl name?

Emily is used almost exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Emily?

Emily was the #1 U.S. girls' name from 1996 to 2007 and has remained in the top 20, cementing it as one of the defining girls' names of the late 20th century.