Rising since 1993, #122 for girls today.
Popularity of Emerson since 1880
Babies named Emerson per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 185 |
| 1890s | 0 | 194 |
| 1900s | 0 | 321 |
| 1910s | 0 | 1,751 |
| 1920s | 0 | 2,139 |
| 1930s | 0 | 1,238 |
| 1940s | 0 | 1,092 |
| 1950s | 0 | 946 |
| 1960s | 0 | 759 |
| 1970s | 0 | 680 |
| 1980s | 0 | 858 |
| 1990s | 366 | 1,317 |
| 2000s | 6,205 | 3,766 |
| 2010s | 16,233 | 10,583 |
| 2020s | 11,246 | 7,692 |
Meaning & origin
Emerson is a surname-turned-first-name that has seen a remarkable rise in popularity since its first recorded appearance in U.S. data in 1993. Now ranked 122nd in 2025, with an incidence of 1 in 717 births, it has climbed steadily year over year. The name reached its peak in 2025, showing no signs of slowing down. Geographically, it is most favored in New Hampshire, Maine, and South Carolina. Emerson's appeal lies in its gender-neutral quality and its literary echo of Ralph Waldo Emerson, though the name's core meaning connects to Old Germanic roots of power and universality.
Emerson is an English patronymic surname derived from the medieval given name Emery, itself from the Old Germanic elements 'ermen' meaning 'universal' or 'whole' and 'ric' meaning 'power' or 'ruler'. The surname originally indicated 'son of Emery'. As a given name, Emerson emerged in the United States in the late 20th century, following the trend of using surnames as first names. It gained particular traction in the 1990s and has since become a popular gender-neutral name.
Where Emerson 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.
“Emerson” around the world
Where Emerson lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
New Zealand
11
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Em, Emmy, Sonny
Sibling names for Emerson
Names that share Emerson's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Clara, Lucy, Evelyn, Genevieve, Lucille, Addison, Harper, Madilyn, Adley, Aniston, Ansley, Aubree, Ellery, Haisley, Harlee, Henley, Kenley, Kynlee, Laken, Madelynn, Tenley, Acelynn, Addelyn, Atlee, Atley, Bailie, Berkeley, Calleigh, Cameran, Chesney, Dawsyn, Ellington, Emmerson, Emry, Hadleigh, Lakin, Layken, Maysen, Paizley, Preslie, Rylei, Abree, Ainsleigh, Averey, Cambry, Ellyson, Everlynn, Haizlee, Kerrington, Kolbi, Landrey, Langley, Maisley, Peyten, Pressley, Raeghan, Reygan, Sayler, Skylan, Anastyn, Blakeley, Charlye, Daily, Embrie, Emerlynn, Emmerie, Emryn, Enslee, Gracelin, Jocee, Josselin, Lovelyn, Lundon, Maeley, Mattingly, Paislei, Quincee, Raley, Rileyann, Sydny, Tenlee, Emeryn, Aliceson, Anisten, Annaston, Avarey, Brenlynn, Brindley, Bristyn, Carsynn, Ellason, Emerlee, Emerleigh, Emjay, Hatley, Journeigh, Kennison, Kinnley, Leddy, Marsali, Massey, Paisli, Rilley, Riplee, Ryliee, Storey, Taitum, Tynleigh, Wakely
Brothers: Oliver, Ethan, Miles, Asher, Henry, Ashton, Benson, Carter, Jackson, Jameson, Lincoln, Parker, Porter, Anderson, Benton, Booker, Boston, Chadwick, Garrison, Kaison, Kashton, Payson, Princeton, Ryland, Shepard, Westin, Ashten, Auden, Brexton, Coleson, Coleton, Dixon, Drayton, Gatlin, Graysen, Kemper, Kysen, Lathan, Masyn, Pearson, Pierson, Raylen, Ryatt, Stevenson, Tennyson, Walden, Westyn, Woodson, Asbury, Ayson, Callaway, Caydin, Cheston, Denilson, Dennison, Dreyden, Eddison, Everitt, Everton, Glover, Graden, Graeson, Henson, Holdyn, Holton, Hutton, Huxlee, Jamerson, Jamisen, Janson, Jaxsyn, Keeton, Lofton, Mattox, Remmington, Richardson, Riggin, Astin, Axten, Cannen, Caysen, Chasten, Clayten, Daxson, Dexton, Erikson, Everson, Hawthorne, Huntington, Kaesen, Koleton, Kolston, Rhyland, Rylon, Stockton, Swade, Tannen, Whittaker, Woodley, Caeson, Acesyn, Aceton, Bowdy, Breyer, Brookston, Chantry, Deidrick, Eaton, Elison, Finnlee, Grayton, Greylan, Jaece, Jaxxton, Jettsen, Kinsler, Kohlson, Linkoln, Nixxon, Paydon, Ramzey, Taydon, Traeger
Names like Emerson
Names whose popularity has moved with Emerson's over the last 50 years.
