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Home › Baby Names Directory › Emilio

Emilio

♂ Boy

Pronounced eh-MEE-lee-oh /ɛˈmiː.li.oʊ/High

Meaning: Rival, eager to excel — Italian/Spanish form of Emil, from the Roman family name Aemilius, from Latin aemulus (rival, emulating, eager)High

In 30 seconds: The Italian and Spanish form of Emil, Emilio derives from the Roman family name Aemilius meaning 'rival' or 'eager to excel.' Warm, melodic, and beloved across the Latin world.
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Origin HighLatin, Italian, Spanish
MeaningRival, eager to excel — Italian/Spanish form of Emil, from the Roman family name Aemilius, from Latin aemulus (rival, emulating, eager)
U.S. rank (2025)#154 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births2,397 boys (0.14% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 53,938

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202518822025

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

Emilio is the Italian and Spanish form of Emil, from the Latin Aemilius, the name of an ancient Roman patrician gens. The root is Latin aemulus, meaning 'rival,' 'emulating,' or 'eager to excel.' The Via Aemilia, built by Marcus Aemilius Lepidus in 187 BC, gave its name to the Italian region Emilia-Romagna.

Emilio has been a popular name in Italy and the Spanish-speaking world for centuries. In the United States it has gained traction particularly in Hispanic communities. It entered the U.S. top 500 boys' names and has grown steadily, with its four-syllable melodic quality and strong cultural roots giving it broad appeal.

Did you know? The Aemilii were one of the oldest and most distinguished patrician families of ancient Rome, producing consuls, censors, and generals for centuries. The Via Aemilia — the ancient Roman road through northern Italy — was named for the family, and many modern Italian towns along its route still bear the name Emilia.

Variations

EmilEmile

Nicknames

EmilEmiMilio

Famous Bearers

  • ★Emilio Estevez (b. 1962)
    American actor and filmmaker, known for The Breakfast Club and the Mighty Ducks films.

If you like Emilio…

Antonio— four-syllable Spanish/Italian classic with the same Mediterranean warmth
Matias— three-syllable Spanish/Latin name with the same strong Latin heritage
Rogelio— shares Emilio's Spanish roots
Octavio— another Latin name
Patricio— shares the -io ending

Frequently Asked

What does the name Emilio mean?

Emilio comes from the Roman family name Aemilius, from Latin aemulus meaning 'rival' or 'eager to excel.'

How do you pronounce Emilio?

Emilio is pronounced eh-MEE-lee-oh /ɛˈmiː.li.oʊ/ — four syllables with stress on the second.

Is Emilio a boy or girl name?

Emilio is a boys' name.

How popular is Emilio?

Emilio has grown steadily in the U.S. birth records and continues to gain popularity, especially in Hispanic communities.

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