Emil
Emil is a boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Rival, striving, or eager.
Origin and history
Emil is derived from the Roman family name Aemilius, which is rooted in the Latin word meaning 'rival' or 'industrious'. It has historically been popular across Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe, as well as Scandinavia. In the United States, it enjoyed steady historical usage in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and remains a recognized, classic choice today.
Popularity in the United States
33,096 babies in the United States have been named Emil since 1880. It ranks #644 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1082.
States where it is most popular
- NY (15.3 %)
- IL (10.7 %)
- PA (10.7 %)
- NJ (8.4 %)
- CA (7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 1,434 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,438 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,319 |
| 1910-1920 | 6,701 |
| 1920-1930 | 7,170 |
| 1930-1940 | 3,518 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,498 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,861 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,266 |
| 1970-1980 | 963 |
| 1980-1990 | 810 |
| 1990-2000 | 837 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,047 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,241 |
| 2020-2029 | 993 |
Famous people named Emil
- Emil Zatopek: Athlete, Olympic Champion
- Emil Jannings: Actor
Nicknames
Em
Fun facts
- Emil derives from Aemilius, one of the most prominent patrician families in ancient Rome.
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau used the name for his famous 1762 treatise on education, 'Émile, or On Education'.