Boy · 165th of 7,545
Emil
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
33,073
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1917
Peak Popularity Year
1,012
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Emil stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Emil has its origins in Latin, stemming from the name Aemilius, which translates to 'rival' or 'eager'. Over time, it evolved through various languages and has been adopted in many cultures. The name is associated with traits of ambition and competitiveness, and it does not have a biblical significance. Emil gained popularity in the 19th century and remains a well-regarded name today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈiːmɪl/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Emil is derived from the Latin name 'Aemilius', which was a prominent Roman family name. It is thought to be related to the Latin word 'aemulus', meaning 'rival' or 'eager'.
Meaning
rival, eager
Language Evolution
Aemilius (Latin), Emilius (Late Latin), Emil (Modern European languages)
Historical Usage
Emil has been used since the 19th century and became popular in various European countries, especially in Germany and Scandinavia.
Variants & Derivatives
Emilio, Amil, Emilie
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Emil is viewed as a classic and sophisticated name. It carries a positive connotation of ambition and competitiveness.
Famous People
Emil Cioran - Romanian philosopher and essayist, Emil Zatopek - Czechoslovak long-distance runner, Emil Fischer - German chemist and Nobel laureate
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,012 peak births in 1917
Geographic Spread
Popular across 40 US states, with strongest presence in North Dakota
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 10 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 10 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 165th of 7545 | 13,983 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 307th of 6773 | 6,124 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 549th of 7552 | 3,545 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 815th of 10718 | 1,606 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1141st of 16616 | 1,326 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1435th of 24088 | 1,604 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1290th of 23106 | 1,752 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 4096th of 9107 | 88 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 5743rd of 9204 | 36 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 12526th of 12526 | 5 |