Meaning and Origin of: Emily

Girl name origins & meanings

• Latin : Eager

What does Emily mean and stand for?

The name Emily, meaning "rival" or industrious and hardworking, comes from the Latin name Aemilia.

Syllables: 3

Girl name variations

Family name origins & meanings

• Respelling of German and Swiss German Emele, a variant of Emel.
• English : variant of Emley.

Famous people with this first name

Famous people who gave their babies this name

Popularity

According to 2018 Social Security Administration data, Emily has been overwhelmingly popular throughout the last decade, peaking in popularity at position one for seven years in a row from 2000 to 2007. It only fell out of the top ten position in 2016. It has followed a similar pattern to the number one most popular girl’s name right now, Emma.

However, it is the 99th most popular name on FamilyEducation.com.

According to Google search data analysis, in the last five years Emily was at its peak popularity in November 2016.

While the name Emily has been around for decades (becoming popular with poet Emily Dickinson), it may have seen a recent rise in popularity thanks to stars like model Emily Ratajkowski, and actresses Emily Blunt and Emily Deschanel. It has also been seen in pop culture with references in Friends, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Pretty Little Liars, Revenge, Twilight, Gilmore Girls, and more.

Where Is It Popular?

Nicknames for Emily

• Em
• Ems
• Millie

Pairs well with these middle names