Emil
Emil: name meaning, origin and popularity
Meaning and origin of Emil
Root meaning: “rival”
- A male given name from Latin.
Etymology
From German Emil, from Latin Aemilius, a Roman family name possibly from aemulus (“rival”). Cognate with French Émile.
How popular is Emil?
Since 1880, 134 girls and 33,096 boys in the U.S. have been named Emil (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1658 in 1896. Its highest rank for boys was #90 in 1881. In 2025, 155 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Emil
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Latin boy names
Sibling name ideas for Emil
Sister and brother names that share Emil's Latin roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Emil FAQ
What does the name Emil mean?
Emil traces back to a root meaning "rival". A male given name from Latin. From German Emil, from Latin Aemilius, a Roman family name possibly from aemulus (“rival”). Cognate with French Émile.
What is the origin of the name Emil?
Emil is listed as a name of Latin origin.
How popular is the name Emil?
Since 1880, 134 girls and 33,096 boys in the U.S. have been named Emil (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1658 in 1896. Its highest rank for boys was #90 in 1881. In 2025, 155 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Emil a boy or girl name?
Emil is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 134 girls and 33,096 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.