Declining since 2020, #601 for girls today.
Popularity of Emelia since 1880
Babies named Emelia per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 201 |
| 1890s | 273 |
| 1900s | 229 |
| 1910s | 409 |
| 1920s | 445 |
| 1930s | 224 |
| 1940s | 194 |
| 1950s | 189 |
| 1960s | 134 |
| 1970s | 126 |
| 1980s | 310 |
| 1990s | 699 |
| 2000s | 2,077 |
| 2010s | 4,988 |
| 2020s | 3,530 |
Meaning & origin
Emelia is a variant spelling of Amelia that has carved out its own place in modern naming. First recorded in 1880, it remained relatively rare for over a century before climbing to its peak rank of 601 in 2025. That year, roughly 1 in 3,294 girls received the name, but it has been on a downward trajectory since 2020. Its strongest footholds are in Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Arkansas, suggesting a regional appeal in smaller communities. While less common than the dominant form Amelia, Emelia offers a slightly different phonetic twist on a classic sound.
Emelia is a variant spelling of Amelia, which derives from the Latin Aemilia, the feminine form of the Roman family name Aemilius, itself from aemulus meaning 'rival' or 'industrious'. The name has been in use since the 17th century in England and gained popularity in the 1800s.
Where Emelia is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Emelia” around the world
Where Emelia lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Em, Emmy, Mia, Lia
Sibling names for Emelia
Names that share Emelia's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Emelia
Names whose popularity has moved with Emelia's over the last 50 years.
