Rising since 2003, #1,260 for boys today.
Popularity of Emrys since 1997
Babies named Emrys per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 0 | 5 |
| 2000s | 0 | 22 |
| 2010s | 138 | 542 |
| 2020s | 203 | 741 |
Meaning & origin
Emrys has seen a notable rise in popularity since 2003, reflecting renewed interest in Welsh and Arthurian names. In 2025, it ranked 1260th in the United States, with an incidence of 1 in every 10,879 births. Its peak year came in 2024, and it has been especially favored in states such as Wisconsin, Colorado, and Virginia. The name carries the mythological weight of Myrddin Emrys, the wizard Merlin, lending it an air of legend and wisdom. Its steady upward trajectory suggests it may continue to gain traction among parents seeking a name with deep historical roots and a melodic sound.
Emrys is the Welsh cognate of the Latin name Ambrosius, derived from Greek ambrosia meaning 'immortal.' It is famously associated with the legendary wizard Myrddin Emrys, known in English as Merlin, and appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae (c. 1136) as a figure of prophecy and wisdom.
Where Emrys is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Emrys” around the world
Where Emrys lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
115
babies in 2024
Quebec
8
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Em
Sibling names for Emrys
Names that share Emrys's style, for a brother or sister.
