Emily

At a Glance

Meaning

Rival, one who emulates or strives to equal/outdo

Origin

Latin

Gender

Girl

Pronunciation

EM-ih-leeListen

Emily is a classic Latin name, pronounced EM-ih-lee, rooted in the word aemulus — 'rival, one who emulates or strives to equal or outdo.' You may have come across the claim that Emily means 'rival, industrious, eager,' but that 'industrious' part isn't accurate for this name: it's actually borrowed from Amelia, a separate Germanic name whose root amal is the one that means 'work.' Emily's own meaning stays with that sense of rivalry and striving to match or surpass.

Meaning & Origin of Emily

Meaning: Rival, one who emulates or strives to equal/outdo.

Origin: Latin.

A common claim: Emily means 'rival, industrious, eager' Actually: The 'industrious' part has no basis in Emily's actual Latin root (aemulus, 'rival/emulating'); it's borrowed from the separate Germanic name Amelia, whose root (amal) does mean 'work'.

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Emily

Popularity of Emily

Emily hit its peak in 1996, when it was the #1 girls' name in the U.S. with 25,150 babies given the name; by 2024 it had fallen to #25, with 5,955 babies named Emily that year.

Names Like Emily

These names share Emily’s style, era or origin.

• Adaline
• Adelina
• Adriana
• Adrianna
• Amelia
• Antonella

FAQ

What does the name Emily mean?

Rival, one who emulates or strives to equal/outdo. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Emily?

Emily is pronounced EM-ih-lee (IPA: /ˈɛməli/).

Is Emily a popular name right now?

Emily peaked at #1 in 1996 and is ranked #25 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Emily Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Emily, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.