Rising since 1994, #881 for girls today.
Popularity of Emi since 1916
Babies named Emi per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 16 |
| 1920s | 37 |
| 1930s | 10 |
| 1940s | 10 |
| 1950s | 19 |
| 1960s | 48 |
| 1970s | 141 |
| 1980s | 257 |
| 1990s | 279 |
| 2000s | 706 |
| 2010s | 1,523 |
| 2020s | 1,314 |
Meaning & origin
Emi is a Japanese name that entered U.S. records in 1916 but remained rare for decades. Its recent rise began around 1994, and by 2025 it reached its peak rank of 881st, with an incidence of 1 in 5,305 births. The name is most popular in Hawaii, Washington, and California, states with significant Japanese American communities. Emi's appeal lies in its simplicity, melodic sound, and positive meanings derived from common kanji pairings. While still uncommon nationally, its steady trajectory suggests growing interest in short, cross-cultural names.
Emi is a Japanese name that can be written with various kanji combinations, most commonly 恵美 (e, 'blessing' + mi, 'beauty') or 笑美 (e, 'smile' + mi, 'beauty'). It has been used in Japan for many decades and gained modest international recognition through cultural exchange and Japanese diaspora communities. As a given name, it is predominantly feminine in Japan, though it functions as a diminutive for names like Emily in Western contexts.
Where Emi is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Emi” around the world
Where Emi lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
30
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Sibling names for Emi
Names that share Emi's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Miya, Suki, Yuki, Keiko, Nori, Aiko, Ami, Kiyomi, Akina, Kimie, Mayumi, Yuriko, Katana, Mieko, Miyuki, Sachi, Sumie, Aimi, Asami, Hiromi, Kazumi, Kimika, Matsue, Miyeko, Oyuki
Brothers: Kenji, Taro, Hiro, Ryo, Kaito, Hiroshi, Kenzo, Raiden, Akio, Masao, Takeo, Takeshi, Yoshio, Kazuma, Kenshin, Kentaro, Masayuki, Meiko, Seiji, Tamon, Yasuo, Yoshito, Yutaka, Hanzo, Hiroto, Hisashi, Nobuo, Seichi, Shoichi, Takahiro, Takao, Tetsuo, Tsutomu
