Emily

Updated: October 4, 2023 by Olivia Mittak

For many years, Emily has been one of the most popular baby names in English-speaking countries like the United States, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. While it's dropped in popularity a bit in recent years, it remains a top 100 baby name in the United States. The name is associated with many successful people, ranging from movie stars like Emily Blunt to the poet Emily Dickinson.

Meaning and Origin of the Name Emily:

The baby name Emily is derived from the Latin name “Aemilia”. During the 11th century, the French adopted the name and developed their own version — Émilie — and by the 18th century, it had become one of the most popular names in many English-speaking countries. The name means “rival, hard worker” in Latin.

Symbolism of the Name Emily:

In Ancient Rome, the original form of Emily was associated with people who were hard workers and fierce rivals. Today, the name is still associated with people who are smart and industrious.

Nicknames for the Name Emily:

Emily is often shortened as Em or Emmy, but there are plenty of other nicknames for you to consider! These are our picks for the best nicknames for Emily, so take a look:

Em
Emmy
Emma
Millie
MiMi
Miley
Lily
Ily
Ems
Emmer
Emmers
Em-Em
Mils
Emile
M&M
Mee

Style of the Name Emily:

Classic

Gender of the Name Emily:

Emily is a girl's name.

Pronunciation of the Name Emily:

Eh-mah-lee

Number of Syllables in the Name Emily:

Three

Emotion Evoked From the Name Emily:

Many people associate the baby name Emily with literary heroes like Emily Dickinson and Emily Bronte. For this reason, the name evokes the image of a woman who is intelligent and successful.

Alternative Spellings for the Name Emily:

Emilee
Emmalee
Emileigh
Amellie
Emmalie
Emmaleigh
Emelie

Popularity of the Name Emily:

Not only has Emily been a popular name in the United States for decades, but it was the number one name in the country between 1996 and 2007. According to the Social Security Administration, Emily was the 17th-most popular baby name for females in 2022.