Emerson
Emerson is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Son of Emery.
Origin and history
Emerson is an English surname-turned-given name meaning 'son of Emery'. Originally derived from Germanic roots, it gained popularity as a masculine name inspired by American transcendentalist Ralph Waldo Emerson. In the United States, it has experienced a strong revival in recent decades for both boys and girls.
Popularity in the United States
33,521 babies in the United States have been named Emerson since 1880. It ranks #636 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #268.
States where it is most popular
- CA (9.4 %)
- OH (7 %)
- TX (6.3 %)
- PA (6.3 %)
- NY (6.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 185 |
| 1890-1900 | 194 |
| 1900-1910 | 321 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,751 |
| 1920-1930 | 2,139 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,238 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,092 |
| 1950-1960 | 946 |
| 1960-1970 | 759 |
| 1970-1980 | 680 |
| 1980-1990 | 858 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,317 |
| 2000-2010 | 3,766 |
| 2010-2019 | 10,583 |
| 2020-2029 | 7,692 |
Famous people named Emerson
- Emerson Fittipaldi: racing driver
- Emerson Boozer: American football player
- Emerson Drive: musical group
Nicknames
Em, Sonny
Fun facts
- The name's popularity as a given name was heavily influenced by American essayist and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson.
- The embedded name Emery traces back to the Germanic name Amalric, meaning 'work power' or 'brave ruler'.
- While historically used predominantly for boys, Emerson has become a popular choice for both boys and girls in contemporary America.