Emilia
Emilia is a girls' name of Latin origin meaning “rival, industrious, striving.” It ranked #45 in the United States in 2025. The feminine form of the Roman family name Aemilius, possibly from the Latin aemulus meaning rival.
Torn between Emilia and another name? Ask family and friends to vote
how do you pronounce Emilia?
eh-MEE-lee-ah
where does the name Emilia come from?
From the Roman family name Aemilius, generally traced to aemulus, meaning rival or emulous. It is unrelated to Amelia, which comes from the Germanic amal meaning work, though the two names have been so thoroughly confused that many sources now gloss both as industrious.
It is borne by Shakespeare's characters and the actress Emilia Clarke of Game of Thrones fame.
how popular is this name?
Emilia has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 103 years since 1880, and fell outside it for 43. It peaked at #40 in 2021, and ranked #45 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #45 |
| 2024 | #43 |
| 2023 | #42 |
| 2022 | #44 |
| 2021 | #40 |
| 2020 | #41 |
| 2019 | #44 |
| 2018 | #58 |
| 2017 | #77 |
| 2016 | #103 |
| 2010 | #348 |
| 2000 | #624 |
| 1990 | #981 |
| 1940 | #879 |
| 1930 | #634 |
| 1920 | #698 |
| 1910 | #663 |
| 1900 | #556 |
| 1890 | #599 |
| 1880 | #580 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Emilia fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Emilia
The Aemilii were one of Rome's oldest patrician families, and the Via Aemilia they built across northern Italy still names the Emilia-Romagna region. Shakespeare used the name twice, most substantially for Iago's wife in Othello, whose final refusal to stay silent turns the play. It has risen sharply across Europe and the Americas since 2000.
what are the nicknames and variants of Emilia?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
who are famous people named Emilia?
- Emilia Clarke
- Emilia Fox
what names are similar to Emilia?
what names go well with Emilia?
Sibling names that share Emilia's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Emilia
What does the name Emilia mean?
Emilia means “rival, industrious, striving”.
What is the origin of the name Emilia?
Emilia comes from the Latin naming tradition. Related forms include Emilie, Amelia and Emiliana.
How popular is the name Emilia?
Emilia ranked #45 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2021, at #40, and it has spent 103 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Emilia a boy or girl name?
Emilia is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Emilia?
Emilia is pronounced eh-MEE-lee-ah, with 4 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
love Emilia? get 10 more names curated for your family.
Popularity rankings and meanings are just the starting point. Our AI consultant finds names that match your heritage, style, and what matters most to you.
Completely free. No credit card required.
Start your free session