The story behind Emily
English form of Latin Aemilia, a gens name from aemulus (“rival, emulator”).
Other language forms and explanations (2)
German entry
a female given name from English [in turn from Latin], variant of Emilie
Tagalog entry
Borrowed from English Emily.
Pronunciation
US English (ARPAbet): EH1 M IH0 L IY0
Regional pronunciation variants
- German: [ˈɛmɪlɪ]
- Tagalog; Standard-Tagalog: /ˈʔemili/
- Tagalog; Standard-Tagalog: [ˌʔɛː.mɪˈlɪ]
This is a US English dictionary reading of the spelling; personal pronunciations may differ. Digits mark stress: 0 is unstressed, 1 is primary, 2 is secondary. Pronunciation source and notation.
Popularity
Emily ranked #34 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Emily
Ebony
From ebony. First used by African Americans in the 1970s.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Ambroży
Learned borrowing from Latin Ambrosius.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Anthony
From Latin Antōnius, name of a Roman gens (with excrescent -h- suggested by an unetymological association with Ancient Greek ἄνθος (ánthos, “flower”)). The Roman clan name is…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Antony
A male given name from Latin, a mostly British spelling variant of Anthony. Unadapted borrowing from English Antony, from Latin Antōnius.Doublet of Antônio and Antão.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Avery
From Anglo-Norman Averay, Auveray, Alverey, from Latin Alveredus, Aluredus, from Old English Ælfræd, from ælf (“elf”) and ræd (“counsel”). Doublet of Alfred.
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Cezary
Learned borrowing from Latin Caesar. Doublet of Cezar.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Emily
Abby
Borrowed from English Abby in the 20th century. Borrowed from English Abby.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Abdiasz
Learned borrowing from Latin Abdias, from Ancient Greek Ἀβδίας (Abdías), from Hebrew עובדיה.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Z
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Abel
English Abel From Middle English Abel, from Old English Ābel, from Latin Abel, from Ancient Greek Ἅβελ (Hábel), from Biblical Hebrew הֶבֶל (Héḇel, “Abel”), possibly from the…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Emily
Aaron
From Latin Aaron, from Ancient Greek Ἀαρών (Aarṓn), from Hebrew אַהֲרֹן (ʾAhărōn), of unknown meaning, possibly meaning “bearer of martyrs”, or perhaps also, or instead,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Aarón
a male given name from Latin [in turn from Ancient Greek, in turn from Hebrew], equivalent to English Aaron
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abdiasz
Learned borrowing from Latin Abdias, from Ancient Greek Ἀβδίας (Abdías), from Hebrew עובדיה.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Z
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length