Emery
Emery: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɛm(ə)ɹi/
Meaning and origin of Emery
Root meaning: “vigor, bravery”
- A surname transferred from the given name.
- A male given name from the Germanic languages, today often transferred back from the surname.
- A female given name transferred from the surname, of 2000s usage, also associated with the mineral emery.
Etymology
From medieval Germanic personal names, either a variant of Amory, from Amalric, Proto-Germanic *amal (“vigor, bravery”) (compare *ammōną) + Old High German rīhhi (“ruler”), or of Henry, from Old High German Heimrich, from heim (“home”) + rīhhi (“ruler”).
How popular is Emery?
Since 1880, 43,837 girls and 20,412 boys in the U.S. have been named Emery (68% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #70 in 2023. Its highest rank for boys was #209 in 1881. In 2025 it ranked #74 for girls, with 3,513 babies given the name.
Names similar to Emery
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Germanic unisex names
Sibling name ideas for Emery
Sister and brother names that share Emery's Germanic roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Emery FAQ
What does the name Emery mean?
Emery traces back to a root meaning "vigor, bravery". A surname transferred from the given name. A male given name from the Germanic languages, today often transferred back from the surname. A female given name transferred from the surname, of 2000s usage, also associated with the mineral emery. From medieval Germanic personal names, either a variant of Amory, from Amalric, Proto-Germanic *amal (“vigor, bravery”) (compare *ammōną) + Old High German rīhhi (“ruler”), or of Henry, from Old High German Heimrich, from heim (“home”) + rīhhi (“ruler”).
What is the origin of the name Emery?
Emery is listed as a name of Germanic origin.
How popular is the name Emery?
Since 1880, 43,837 girls and 20,412 boys in the U.S. have been named Emery (68% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #70 in 2023. Its highest rank for boys was #209 in 1881. In 2025 it ranked #74 for girls, with 3,513 babies given the name.
Is Emery a boy or girl name?
Emery is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (43,837 girls and 20,412 boys since 1880).
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.