Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Emilia
GirlLatin, Italian· “rival; from a Roman family name”
- Meaning
- rival; from a Roman family name
- Origin
- Latin, Italian
- Pronunciation
- ih-MEE-lee-uh
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #45
- US babies 2025
- 4,677
- Best rank
- #40 (2021)
- Peak year
- 2021
Meaning and origin of Emilia
Emilia is a Latin and Italian name that is usually said to mean “rival; from a Roman family name”.
Emilia is the feminine form of Aemilius, the name of an ancient Roman family, usually linked to the Latin aemulus, meaning "rival" or "striving to equal". It is the Italian, Spanish and Polish form of Emily and has been used across Europe for centuries. In Shakespeare's Othello, Emilia is Desdemona's outspoken companion and the wife of Iago, one of the play's most memorable characters. Emilia combines the familiarity of Emily with a more lyrical, international sound. Nicknames include Emmy, Millie and Mila, and the name suits a child and an adult equally well.
Popularity over time
Emilia 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 103 different years. Its best national rank was #40 in 2021, the same year it reached its highest count of 4,854 babies. In 2025, 4,677 babies were named Emilia, and it ranked #45 nationally. That is 110% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #699 in 1920, #1,149 in 1950, #1,163 in 1980, #626 in 2000, #348 in 2010, and #45 in 2025. Of the 69,076 US girls named Emilia since records began, 41% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 24,348 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Willow, Leilani, Nova, Athena, and Everleigh.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Emilia ranked highest in Illinois, Arizona, and Colorado.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | #21 | 214 |
| Arizona | #22 | 150 |
| Colorado | #26 | 112 |
| California | #27 | 704 |
| Texas | #28 | 623 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Emilia is usually pronounced ih-MEE-lee-uh, with four syllables. It has six letters, starts with E and ends in “-ia”.
Middle names for Emilia
A few middle names that flow with Emilia: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Emilia
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Lists that include Emilia
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Emilia mean?
Emilia is a Latin and Italian name that is usually said to mean “rival; from a Roman family name”.
What is the origin of the name Emilia?
Emilia has Latin and Italian roots. Emilia is the feminine form of Aemilius, the name of an ancient Roman family, usually linked to the Latin aemulus, meaning "rival" or "striving to equal".
Is Emilia a popular name?
Yes. Emilia ranked #45 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Emilia a boy or girl name?
Emilia is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Emilia?
Emilia is usually pronounced ih-MEE-lee-uh. 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