The Baby Name Wizard

Reader Contributions

Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Emily!

Comments and insights on the name Emily: | Edit

Too common :(

I found this on a list of top 20 "whitest" names for girls.

Personal experiences with the name Emily: | Edit

I'm an Emily and I have always loved my name. I was born in the mid 80's and rarely encountered any other Emilys. Now I am a teacher and I know that it's only a matter of time before I start getting lots of Emilys in my classes. I do think the name is a little too popular now, but for me as I was growing up it was perfect. It's a great name for a kid but transitions well into adulthood. A lot of my friends call me "Em".

I'm an Emily and it tends to be so annoying because it is so common. I don't even respond to it anymore because whenever I answer it's another Emily and not me.

Emily's tend to be lighthearted, forgiving and gentle. You often hear the word "genuine" when people are describing their personality. Emily's are people who are incapable of pretending to be anything other than what they are, and are rarely swayed by the expectations of society.

Nicknames for Emily: | Edit

Emmy, Millie, Em, Emma, Lee, Miley, MiMi, Ems, Emy, Emilye, Emmuls, Emmerloo

Meanings and history of the name Emily: | Edit

Industrious; hardworking (German).

Admiring (English).

Emulating; rival (Latin).

Babynamesworld.com: From the Latin Aemilia, a derivative of Aemilius, an old Roman family name believed to be derived from aemulus (trying to equal or excel, emulating, rival).

Another explanation concerning the meaning of the name could point in the direction of Amalia and its Greek origin of aimulos (friendly, tender).

Emily has been the number one name for girls in the US for the last ten years, and has also ranked high in the UK, landing in the 4th spot in 2007. It is also popular in Australia and New Zealand.

Famous real-life people named Emily: | Edit

Emily Bronte, novelist ("Wuthering Heights") and poet
Emily Dickinson, poet
Emily Post, writer on etiquette
Emily Blunt, actress
Emily Deschanel,actress
Emily Osment, actress.

Emily in song, story & screen: | Edit

Emily Elizabeth in Clifford, The Big Red Dog
"The Americanization of Emily," 1964 film starring Julie Andrews
"See Emily Play," song by Pink Floyd
"For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her," song by Simon & Garfunkel
"Emily," From First to Last
"Emily of Deep Valley," book by Maud Hart Lovelace
"Emily of New Moon" (and others) books by L.M. Montgomery
"Look Through My Window" book by Jean Little
Miss Emily, character on "The Waltons"
Emily Bowen Quartermaine, a character on the soap opera ''General Hospital''
Emily Webb in "Our Town"