Emersen

Meaning & origin

Emersen is a modern, phonetically spelled variant of the surname Emerson, which has been used as a given name since the 19th century. The name first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1998 and saw its peak popularity in 2011. However, since 2011, its usage has been declining. In 2025, it ranked 3,975th with an estimated 1 in 44,646 newborns receiving the name. The name is most often given to girls, reflecting a broader trend of using traditionally masculine surnames as feminine first names. Emersen has no particular stronghold in any specific state, as its top states are listed as none, indicating a diffuse, nationwide presence rather than regional concentration.

Emersen is a modern spelling variant of Emerson, an English surname meaning 'son of Emery'. Emery itself derives from the Germanic name Emmerich, meaning 'work' and 'power'. The surname Emerson was adopted as a given name in the 19th century, influenced by figures like Ralph Waldo Emerson. The spelling 'Emersen' emerged as a phonetic, simplified variant in the late 20th century, particularly in the United States.