A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Emile since 1880
Babies named Emile per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1922, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Emile's real moment was 1882.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 233 |
| 1890s | 5 | 247 |
| 1900s | 10 | 264 |
| 1910s | 49 | 1,093 |
| 1920s | 62 | 1,420 |
| 1930s | 29 | 971 |
| 1940s | 21 | 830 |
| 1950s | 25 | 671 |
| 1960s | 12 | 520 |
| 1970s | 34 | 392 |
| 1980s | 121 | 328 |
| 1990s | 138 | 320 |
| 2000s | 110 | 396 |
| 2010s | 32 | 511 |
| 2020s | 0 | 445 |
Meaning & origin
Emile is a name with a long history of use in the United States, first recorded in 1880. It reached its peak popularity in 1882 and then declined. However, since 1990, the name has been rising in use, indicating a revival of interest in this classic French and German name. The name is particularly popular in Louisiana, New York, and California, reflecting its strong historical ties to French and German communities. While still relatively uncommon today (ranked 2091 in 2025, with a 1-in-24,401 incidence), its upward trajectory suggests it is regaining favor among parents seeking a distinguished, old-world name.
Emile is the French and German form of the Latin name Aemilius, a Roman family name derived from 'aemulus' meaning 'rival'. The name gained popularity in France and Germany and was introduced to the English-speaking world in the 19th century. It has been consistently used in the United States since 1880.
Where Emile 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.
“Emile” around the world
Where Emile lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
450
babies in 2024
Quebec
#13
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Em, Mile
Variants: Emil, Émile
Sibling names for Emile
Names that share Emile's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Alice, Clara, Louise, Marie, Sophie, Aline, Alize, Elodie, Jolie, Marceline, Paulette, Albertine, Anjanette, Julienne, Cecille, Estee, Fernande, Ivone, Jeannene, Leontine, Lorette, Lorrain, Philomene, Renette, Susette, Blondine, Coleta, Florette, Frenchie, Laurine, Mirielle, Nanetta, Priscille, Rosine, Vermelle, Felicie, Bertine, Chanele, Channelle, Jisele, Laurielle, Marcele, Marionette, Marzelle, Octavie, Sidonie
Brothers: Louis, Henri, Theodore, Auguste, Jules, Armand, Gustave, Romaine, Alcide, Germain, Herve, Romelle, Yvan, Anatole, Laurier, Leonce, Rosaire, Theophile, Alcee, Camil, Odilon, Reynald, Yanick
