A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Emil since 1880
Babies named Emil per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1917, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Emil's real moment was 1884.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 1,434 |
| 1890s | 1,438 |
| 1900s | 1,319 |
| 1910s | 6,701 |
| 1920s | 7,170 |
| 1930s | 3,518 |
| 1940s | 2,498 |
| 1950s | 1,861 |
| 1960s | 1,266 |
| 1970s | 963 |
| 1980s | 810 |
| 1990s | 837 |
| 2000s | 1,047 |
| 2010s | 1,241 |
| 2020s | 993 |
Meaning & origin
Emil is a classic Latin-derived name with a strong European pedigree, though it has never been a top-tier choice in the United States. Its peak year in the U.S. was 1884, a period when the name was most fashionable among immigrant communities. After a long decline, Emil has been rising in popularity since 1997, reflecting a broader revival of traditional short-form international names. The name also shows a revival in the 1880s decade, indicating vintage appeal. Top states for Emil include Pennsylvania, Washington, and Massachusetts, suggesting clustered usage in communities with Scandinavian or German heritage, Emil's true core. Its meaning, 'rival,' carries a sense of ambition without being overly aggressive, and its simple two-syllable structure makes it accessible across languages.
Emil derives from the Latin family name Aemilius, from the root aemulus meaning 'rival' or 'eager.' The name was borne by several early saints and has been consistently used across Europe since the Middle Ages. In Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, it became especially popular in the 19th century.
Where Emil is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Emil” around the world
Where Emil lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
35
babies in 2024
Ireland
7
babies in 2025
Quebec
12
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Em, Emmy, Mili
Variants: Emile (French), Emilio (Italian/Spanish), Émile (French), Emílio (Portuguese)
Sibling names for Emil
Names that share Emil's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Clara, Lena, Maja, Sofia, Ella, Bettina, Erna, Greta, Hermina, Lovella, Aneta, Carola, Else, Odilia, Otila, Ottilia, Tamila, Cecilie, Gustava, Ivet, Venda
Brothers: Oscar, Felix, Carl, Henrik, Arne, Adolph, Erwin, Theodor, Bernhardt, Frederik, Eldar, Eldor, Fredi, Ludwin, Ranier, Teodor, Emilo, Aurel, Elmin, Rubens
