Girl name · Latin
Emily
“rival, industrious (Aemilia variant)”
Vibes
Common nicknames
Short-forms and diminutives parents often use for Emily.
Explore Emily further
Similar-feel alternatives, or middle-name candidates that pair well with Emily — both ranked by the same scoring system (vibe overlap, syllable rhythm, origin compatibility).
About the name
Emily is the English form of the Roman Aemilia — the clan name glossed as "rival, industrious." Emily Dickinson and Emily Brontë made it the most literary name in the English language per capita.
Emily was America's number one name for over a decade (1996-2007) and still holds seventeenth in 2024 — the defining girl name of a generation, now aging into classic status.
The name reads as a bookshelf: quiet, deep, permanent. Em and Emmy keep it light. It pairs well with vintage middles (Emily Charlotte, Emily Frances). Vibe-wise it is Vintage Elegant with a Dark Academia annotation in the margin.
More Latin names
Emily sits in our Latin set — these share its roots.
All Latin names →Emily — common questions
Is Emily a boy or girl name?
Emily is traditionally a girl name of Latin origin. It ranked #34 among US girls' names in 2025.
What does the name Emily mean?
Emily means “rival, industrious (Aemilia variant)” of Latin origin. Emily is the English form of the Roman Aemilia — the clan name glossed as "rival, industrious." Emily Dickinson and Emily Brontë made it the most literary name in the English language per capita.
Where does the name Emily come from?
Emily is Latin in origin. Emily was America's number one name for over a decade (1996-2007) and still holds seventeenth in 2024 — the defining girl name of a generation, now aging into classic status.
What are common nicknames for Emily?
Em, Emmy, and Milly — the short-forms parents most often use for Emily.
How popular is Emily?
Emily ranked #34 in US Social Security Administration data for 2025, which puts it solidly in everyday use.
Bring the name into the room
A couple of nice things named Emily you might want for the nursery.