Emillie

Meaning & origin

Emillie is a modern respelling of the classic Emily, which has been a beloved name for centuries. Variant spellings like Emillie offer parents a way to personalize a traditional favorite while retaining its familiar sound. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1977, a period when inventive spellings began gaining traction, and it saw its peak popularity in 2004, when it ranked highest. Since 2003, its usage has been declining, reflecting a broader trend away from certain Emily offshoots. As of 2025, Emillie is given to roughly 1 in every 160,727 newborn girls, placing it well outside the top 1,000 names. While no U.S. states have reported it as particularly concentrated, it remains a choice for those who appreciate the nickname-rich Emily family but want something less common. Its rarity can make it a distinctive option, though parents should anticipate occasional misspellings or corrections.

Emillie is a variant spelling of Emily, which derives from the Latin Aemilia, feminine form of the Roman family name Aemilius, probably meaning 'rival' or 'striving.' The name has been in use in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages, often in honor of Saint Emily de Vialar. This particular spelling, Emillie, emerged in the late 20th century as a modern respelling, likely influenced by the trend of adding an extra 'l' or 'ie' for distinctiveness.