Emil: name meaning, origin & popularity
- Meaning
- “rival; eager”
- Origin
- Latin
- Say it
- ay-MEEL · 2 syllables
- Used for
- Boys
From the Roman family name Aemilius, via Emil in several European languages. The traditional interpretation is 'rival,' though the ancient etymology is not completely certain.
How popular is Emil?
Babies named Emil in 2024158
2024 rank#1,245 boys
Peak year1881
Total US babies since 188033,073
Emil is rising: use over the last five years is 1.6× what it was a decade earlier.
Names like Emil
Variants, related forms and names with the same roots.
Emil questions
What does the name Emil mean?
Emil means "rival; eager". It comes from Latin. From the Roman family name Aemilius, via Emil in several European languages. The traditional interpretation is 'rival,' though the ancient etymology is not completely certain.
Is Emil a boy or girl name?
Emil is mainly a boy's name in US records (100% of uses since 1880).
How popular is Emil?
158 US babies were named Emil in 2024. Its peak year was 1881.
How do you pronounce Emil?
Emil is usually pronounced ay-MEEL.
Birth counts: US Social Security Administration national data, 1880–2024 (names given to 5+ babies of a sex in a year). How we write meanings.