Emily is a popular choice in the UK, ranked #34 in 2024. There's a good chance they'll share their name with at least one classmate throughout school.
Origin & Meaning
Latin — Rival, eager; from the Roman Aemilius family
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UK Rank 2024
#34
US Rank #25
About the Name Emily
Emily is holding steady in the rankings at #34. It reached its peak of #1 in 2003 and has maintained consistent levels since — the hallmark of a name with lasting rather than trend-driven appeal. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996. It has spent 29 of the last 29 years inside the UK top 100 — a mark of enduring mainstream appeal.
In terms of origin, Emily is rooted in Latin, where it means "Rival, eager; from the Roman Aemilius family". Names with strong etymological stories tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles.
Emily is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
It ranks similarly in the US at #25, suggesting broad transatlantic appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Emily
Unlikely. With around 1,170 UK babies named Emily per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Emily in her class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Emily has held a stable position around #34 for several years. It reached its recorded peak of #1 in 2003 and has maintained consistent levels since — suggesting lasting rather than trend-driven appeal.
The name Emily has Latin origins and means "Rival, eager; from the Roman Aemilius family". Names with clear etymological roots tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles and give children a story to tell about their name.
Notable people named Emily include: Emily Deschanel — Emily Erin Deschanel is an American actress.; Emily Rutherfurd — Emily Kernan Rutherfurd is an American actress.; Emily Armstrong — Emily Marcia Armstrong is an American singer and guitarist..
Emily ranks #25 in the US (2024), making it comfortably inside the American top 100. It's well-liked on both sides of the Atlantic.
1,170
UK babies named Emily (2024)
~0.0
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.6
In a school of 600
↓ 19 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Emily
Likely around 1 other Emily in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Emily
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Emily Murphy was a Canadian women's rights activist and author. In 1916, she became the first female magistrate in Canada and the fifth in the British Empire after Elizabeth Webb Nicholls, Jane Price, E.
Emily Marcia Armstrong is an American singer and guitarist. The co-founder of Dead Sara, she became the lead singer of Linkin Park when the band regrouped in September 2024, seven years after the death of their long-time lead vocalist Chester Bennington.
Emily Gregory is an American Democratic politician serving as a member of the Florida House of Representatives representing the 87th district. She won a 2026 special election which was notable as her district is home to Mar-a-Lago, Republican President Donald Trump's personal residence and voted for Trump in the 2024 United States presidential election by 11 points.
Emily Fitzgerald, Duchess of Leinster, known before 1747 as Lady Emily Lennox, from 1747 to 1761 as The Countess of Kildare and from 1761 to 1766 as The Marchioness of Kildare, was the second of the famous Lennox sisters, daughters of Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond (who was illegitimately descended from King Charles II of England and one of his mistresses).