Holding steady.
Popularity of Emer since 1888
Babies named Emer per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2002, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Emer's real moment was 1890.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 | 0 |
| 1890s | 11 | 0 |
| 1900s | 6 | 5 |
| 1910s | 0 | 10 |
| 1920s | 16 | 5 |
| 1930s | 0 | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 11 | 5 |
| 2000s | 28 | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Emer is a rare Irish name with its first U.S. recording in 1888, though it has never ranked among the top 1000 names. Its peak year of usage was 1890, and the name has since remained stable with very few births per year. Despite its obscurity in America, Emer holds a cherished place in Irish mythology as the wife of the hero Cú Chulainn, remembered for her intelligence and beauty. The name has no top states in the U.S., consistent with its extreme rarity. For parents seeking an authentic Irish name with ancient roots but minimal modern usage, Emer offers a distinctive choice.
Emer is a distinctly Irish name with roots in ancient mythology. In the Ulster Cycle, Emer was the wife of the hero Cú Chulainn, renowned for her beauty and intelligence. Her name has been variously interpreted as 'swift' or 'nimble', though the exact derivation remains uncertain. The name has been used in Ireland for centuries but remains rare even there.
“Emer” around the world
Where Emer lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Em, Emmy
Variants: Eimer, Eimear
Sibling names for Emer
Names that share Emer's style, for a brother or sister.
