Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Emile
BoyFrench, Latin· “French form of Aemilius, possibly rival”
- Meaning
- French form of Aemilius, possibly rival
- Origin
- French, Latin
- Pronunciation
- ay-MEEL
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,098
- US babies 2025
- 70
- Best rank
- #283 (1882)
- Peak year
- 1922
Meaning and origin of Emile
Emile is a French and Latin name that is usually said to mean “French form of Aemilius, possibly rival”.
Emile is the French form of Aemilius, a Roman family name sometimes linked to Latin aemulus, rival, though that derivation is uncertain. The name became well known through Jean-Jacques Rousseau's treatise Emile, or On Education, and later through the novelist Emile Zola and the sociologist Emile Durkheim. The French pronunciation is ay-MEEL, with the stress on the second syllable. Emil is the German and Scandinavian form, while Emilio is Italian and Spanish. Emile has an intellectual, continental character, and English speakers may see it as a masculine counterpart to Emily. Milo is an unexpected nickname option.
Popularity over time
Emile has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 81 different years. Its best national rank was #283 in 1882, and the most babies received it in 1922, when 167 were named Emile. In 2025, 70 babies were named Emile, and it ranked #2,098 nationally. That is 27% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #511 in 1920, #820 in 1950, #1,665 in 1980, #2,879 in 2000, #3,394 in 2010, and #2,098 in 2025. Of the 8,641 US boys named Emile since records began, 16% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 1,093 babies. Since 2010, 956 more have been named Emile.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Warner, Harmon, Hoyt, Dewitt, and Harland.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Emile ranked highest in Louisiana, California, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | #815 | 5 |
| California | #1319 | 14 |
| New York | #1333 | 8 |
| Texas | #1792 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 94% of US babies named Emile over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Emile is usually pronounced ay-MEEL, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with E and ends in “-le”.
Middle names for Emile
A few middle names that flow with Emile: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Emile
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Lists that include Emile
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Emile mean?
Emile is a French and Latin name that is usually said to mean “French form of Aemilius, possibly rival”.
What is the origin of the name Emile?
Emile has French and Latin roots. Emile is the French form of Aemilius, a Roman family name sometimes linked to Latin aemulus, rival, though that derivation is uncertain.
Is Emile a popular name?
Not especially. Emile ranked #2,098 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Emile a boy or girl name?
Emile is mainly a boy's name. About 94% of US babies named Emile over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Emile?
Emile is usually pronounced ay-MEEL. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings