Emilia
/e-MEEL-ee-ə/
Emilia is a girl name of Latin origin, meaning Rival, eager.
- GenderGirl
- OriginLatin
- StyleModern
- Syllables3
- US rank#38
What does Emilia mean?
Rival, eager
Emilia is the Latin feminine of the Roman family name Aemilius. The usual derivation is aemulus, "rival" or "striving".
The story behind the name
The gens Aemilia was one of the oldest patrician families of Rome, and the Via Aemilia - the road they built across northern Italy in 187 BC - still gives its name to the region of Emilia-Romagna.
Shakespeare used the name twice, most memorably for Iago's wife in Othello, who exposes her husband at the cost of her life and delivers one of the sharpest speeches about the double standard in the whole canon.
Emilia is currently the most popular girls' name in Germany and Poland and is a top-thirty name in the United States.
Notable people named Emilia
- Emilia, character in Shakespeare's Othello
- Emilia Pardo Bazán, novelist
- Emilia Clarke, actor
How popular is Emilia?
Popularity in the United States
Emilia has been given to 45,463 babies in the United States since 1880, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.
About 1 in 347 babies born in the United States were given this name in the most recent year on record.
Popularity in France
Emilia has been given to 9,258 babies in France since 1900, peaking in the 1900s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.
Popularity in Spain
There are 44,079 people called Emilia living in Spain, with an average age of 66.7.
Variants and related names
Other spellings: Emilie, Amelia, Emiliana, Emily
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Start swiping - it's freeFrequently asked questions about Emilia
What does the name Emilia mean?
Emilia means Rival, eager. It is of Latin origin.
Is Emilia a boy's or a girl's name?
Emilia is most often given to girls.
How do you pronounce Emilia?
Emilia is pronounced e-MEEL-ee-ə.
How popular is the name Emilia?
Emilia has been given to 45,463 babies in the United States since 1880, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.
What are other spellings of Emilia?
Common variants include Emilie, Amelia, Emiliana, Emily.