Girl · 1st of 35,406
Emily
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
892,769
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1999
Peak Popularity Year
26,587
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Emily 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 Emily has Latin origins, stemming from 'Aemilia', signifying 'rival' or 'industrious'. It has evolved through various languages such as Italian and French before reaching its current form in English. The name is often associated with positive traits such as elegance and determination, and it has no significant biblical ties. It gained popularity in the 18th century and remains a favored choice today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɛm.ɪ.li/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Emily derives from the Latin name 'Aemilia', which is the feminine form of 'Aemilius'. The root 'aemulus' means 'rival' or 'to strive'.
Meaning
rival, industrious
Language Evolution
Aemilia (Latin), Emilia (Italian), Emilie (French), Emily (English)
Historical Usage
Emily gained popularity in the 18th century, particularly in Britain, influenced by the Romantic movement and literary works.
Variants & Derivatives
Emilia, Emilie, Emma, Emmy
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Emily is viewed as a classic and timeless name, often associated with elegance and femininity.
Famous People
Emily Dickinson, Emily Brontë, Emily Blunt, Emily Ratajkowski
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:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 26,587 peak births in 1999
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New Hampshire
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 12 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 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3988th of 7545 | 64 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3425th of 6773 | 87 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 5793rd of 7552 | 19 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2965th of 10718 | 186 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1618th of 16616 | 760 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 2938th of 24088 | 563 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 7877th of 23106 | 115 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 115th of 9107 | 38,617 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 171st of 9204 | 22,696 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 229th of 12526 | 24,162 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 90th of 19264 | 62,489 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 10th of 27321 | 281,563 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1st of 35406 | 344,442 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 12th of 30306 | 107,531 |