Emil

At a Glance

Meaning

Rival, one who emulates or competes

Origin

Latin (via German)

Gender

Boy

Pronunciation

EH-milListen

Emil is pronounced EH-mil (/ˈɛmɪl/) and traces back to Latin by way of German. Its meaning is 'rival, one who emulates or competes' — not the gentler 'industrious' sense sometimes attached to it, which actually belongs to the unrelated name Amelia rather than Emil's own Aemilius/aemulus root. With a timeless, classic and vintage feel, it's a boy's name with a distinctly old-fashioned, established feel.

Meaning & Origin of Emil

Meaning: Rival, one who emulates or competes.

Origin: Latin (via German).

A common claim: Emil means 'rival, industrious' Actually: 'Industrious' isn't supported by the Aemilius/aemulus root ('rival, emulating'); that sense belongs to the unrelated Germanic name Amelia.

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Emil

Popularity of Emil

Emil hit its peak popularity at #90 in 1881, when 145 boys received the name, and by 2024 had settled to #1248 with 158 babies — so across the SSA's full 1880-2024 record, the raw count has actually held roughly steady even as its ranking slipped far down the list.

Names Like Emil

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

• Arnold
• Baldwin
• Bernard
• Conrad
• Ernest
• Erwin

FAQ

What does the name Emil mean?

Rival, one who emulates or competes. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Emil?

Emil is pronounced EH-mil (IPA: /ˈɛmɪl/).

Is Emil a popular name right now?

Emil peaked at #90 in 1881 and is ranked #1248 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Emil Name Art

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