Rising since 1985, #445 for girls today.
Popularity of Emmy since 1885
Babies named Emmy per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 13 |
| 1890s | 43 |
| 1900s | 44 |
| 1910s | 160 |
| 1920s | 312 |
| 1930s | 196 |
| 1940s | 197 |
| 1950s | 224 |
| 1960s | 158 |
| 1970s | 391 |
| 1980s | 528 |
| 1990s | 544 |
| 2000s | 1,846 |
| 2010s | 4,541 |
| 2020s | 3,766 |
Meaning & origin
Emmy is a charming diminutive that has carved out its own identity. First recorded in the U.S. in 1885, it experienced a long period of quiet use before beginning a steady climb in 1985. In 2025 it reached its peak rank at 445, with 1 in 2,313 newborns receiving the name. Its rise is most notable in states like Delaware, Utah, and Oregon. While often a nickname for Emma or Emily, Emmy now stands alone as a sweet, accessible choice.
Emmy originated as a diminutive of Emma and Emily. Emma derives from the Germanic word 'ermen' meaning 'whole' or 'universal', while Emily comes from the Latin 'aemulus' meaning 'rival'. The name gained independent use in the English-speaking world by the late 19th century.
Where Emmy 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.
“Emmy” around the world
Where Emmy lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
410
babies in 2024
Ireland
10
babies in 2025
New Zealand
15
babies in 2025
Quebec
7
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Emmy
Names that share Emmy's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Emmy
Names whose popularity has moved with Emmy's over the last 50 years.
