Emilia

At a Glance

Meaning

Rival, one who strives to equal or surpass

Origin

Latin

Gender

Girl

Pronunciation

ih-MEEL-yuhListen

Emilia is a Latin name meaning 'rival, one who strives to equal or surpass' — a name rooted in the idea of striving and ambition. It's pronounced ih-MEEL-yuh (IPA /ɪˈmiːljə/). You may see Emilia described as also meaning 'laborious' or 'eager,' but that sense actually traces back to the unrelated Germanic name Amelia, which separately means 'work' — it isn't part of Emilia's own Latin root.

Meaning & Origin of Emilia

Meaning: Rival, one who strives to equal or surpass.

Origin: Latin.

A common claim: Emilia means 'rival, laborious, or eager' Actually: The 'laborious' sense isn't part of the Aemilius root; it's borrowed from the unrelated Germanic name Amelia, which independently means 'work'.

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Emilia

Popularity of Emilia

The Social Security Administration has tracked Emilia since 1880. It peaked at #40 in 2021 with 4,851 babies given the name, and in the latest data for 2024 it ranked #43 with 4,634 babies — just a small step down from its high point.

Names Like Emilia

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

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

FAQ

What does the name Emilia mean?

Rival, one who strives to equal or surpass. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Emilia?

Emilia is pronounced ih-MEEL-yuh (IPA: /ɪˈmiːljə/).

Is Emilia a popular name right now?

Emilia is near its all-time peak (#40 in 2021), ranked #43 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Emilia Name Art

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