Declining since 2009, #503 for girls today.
Popularity of Emely since 1912
Babies named Emely per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 15 |
| 1920s | 20 |
| 1930s | 18 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 19 |
| 1960s | 48 |
| 1970s | 151 |
| 1980s | 368 |
| 1990s | 2,440 |
| 2000s | 9,218 |
| 2010s | 7,661 |
| 2020s | 3,906 |
Meaning & origin
Emely is a phonetic spelling variant of Emily that emerged in the United States around the early 20th century, first recorded in 1912. It reached its peak popularity in 2005, when it ranked highest among U.S. births, and has since been on a gradual decline, falling in rank since 2009. In 2025, it stood at rank 503, with roughly 1 in every 2,724 baby girls receiving the name. The spelling is particularly popular in states such as Rhode Island, Maryland, and Nevada, suggesting regional preferences for simplified or altered forms of classic names. While not as common as the standard Emily, Emely offers a streamlined alternative that retains the same etymological roots and familiar sound.
Emely is a spelling variant of Emily, which derives from the Latin name Aemilia, feminine form of Aemilius, a Roman family name possibly related to aemulus meaning 'rival' or 'industrious'. It entered English via German and French, and has been used since the Middle Ages, though this particular spelling became more common in the late 20th century as a simplified or phonetic alternative.
Where Emely 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Em, Emmy, Ema
Sibling names for Emely
Names that share Emely's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Emely
Names whose popularity has moved with Emely's over the last 50 years.
