Emerson
Emerson is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Son of Emery (meaning brave or industrious ruler).
Origin and history
Emerson originated as an English surname meaning 'son of Emery'. Traditionally a masculine name, it has experienced rapid growth in the United States as a given name for girls in recent decades. It fits well within the popular modern trend of using unisex surnames as feminine first names.
Popularity in the United States
34,050 babies in the United States have been named Emerson since 1880. It ranks #764 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #153.
States where it is most popular
- TX (8.8 %)
- CA (6.9 %)
- NC (5.3 %)
- OH (5 %)
- GA (4.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 0 |
| 1990-2000 | 366 |
| 2000-2010 | 6,205 |
| 2010-2019 | 16,233 |
| 2020-2029 | 11,246 |
Famous people named Emerson
- Emerson Drive: Musical Group
Nicknames
Emmy, Em, Emmie
Fun facts
- The surname is strongly tied to American transcendentalist essayist and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson.
- While historically given mainly to boys, Emerson has surged in popularity as a girl's name in the United States since the late 1990s.