Emer

♀ Girl

Pronounced EE-mur /ˈi.mɚ/Medium

Meaning: From the Old Irish Emer, of uncertain meaning (variously linked to 'swift'); the Celtic heroine said to hold the six gifts of womanhood, wife of the hero Cu Chulainn; routes uncertain; we note the mythLow

In 30 seconds: The gifted heroine: Emer is a Celtic heroine. Crisp, classic, and warm (said 'EE-mur'). We note the myth.

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Origin LowCeltic

MeaningFrom the Old Irish Emer, of uncertain meaning (variously linked to 'swift'); the Celtic heroine said to hold the six gifts of womanhood, wife of the hero Cu Chulainn; routes uncertain; we note the myth

U.S. rank (2006)#15714 ↘ Falling

2006 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2002

Total births (all-time)≈ 77

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Emer comes from the Old Irish Emer, of uncertain meaning (variously linked to 'swift'); the heroine wife of Cu Chulainn (routes uncertain, which we note the myth). A crisp, classic name (said 'EE-mur').

In the U.S. it appears very rarely as a mythology name. Rare, the-gifted-one at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Emer is a Celtic name of uncertain meaning (variously linked to 'swift') — the heroine said to hold the six gifts of womanhood, wife of the hero Cu Chulainn — a crisp, storied name (the routes are uncertain, which we note the myth; said 'EE-mur').

Overall data confidence 44%

References — Emer — Celtic mythology; routes uncertain

Variations

EimearEimhear

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Emer…

Scathach— the warrior who trained him

Deirdre— a fellow Celtic heroine

Aoife— a companion Celtic woman

Etain— shares Emer's Celtic roots

Aine— the same mythology feel

Explore names like Emer

By themeuncertain mythology celtic

By meaningGift / Blessing

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Emer mean?

Emer is Old Irish, of uncertain meaning (variously linked to 'swift'); the heroine wife of Cu Chulainn. The routes are uncertain. We note the myth.

How do you pronounce Emer?

It's said EE-mur /ˈi.mɚ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Emer a boy or girl name?

Emer is a girl's name.

How popular is Emer?

Emer is a very rare name in the U.S.