Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Emrys
UnisexWelsh, Greek· “Welsh form of Ambrose, immortal”
- Meaning
- Welsh form of Ambrose, immortal
- Origin
- Welsh, Greek
- Pronunciation
- EHM-rihs
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,260
- US babies 2025
- 157
- Best rank
- #1,141 (2024)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Emrys
Emrys is a Welsh and Greek name that means “Welsh form of Ambrose, immortal”.
Emrys is the Welsh form of Ambrose, which comes from the Latin Ambrosius and the Greek ambrosios, immortal, a word related to ambrosia, the food of the gods. In Welsh tradition the name is tied to Emrys Wledig, identified with Ambrosius Aurelianus, a British leader remembered for resisting the Anglo-Saxons, and in some tales Merlin is called Myrddin Emrys. It has been used as a given name in Wales for generations and is said EHM-rihs. Outside Wales it is sometimes given to girls because of its soft sound, though it is traditionally masculine. Its links to Arthurian legend give it a mythic, literary character.
Popularity over time
Emrys first appears in US Social Security records in 1997. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,141 in 2024, the same year it reached its highest count of 185 babies. In 2025, 157 babies were named Emrys, and it ranked #1,260 nationally. That is 196% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #8,335 in 2010 and #1,260 in 2025. Of the 1,310 US boys named Emrys since records began, 57% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 542 babies.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Aven, Navi, Psalm, Kit, and Wylie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Emrys ranked highest in Wisconsin, Colorado, and North Carolina.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | #644 | 7 |
| Colorado | #793 | 6 |
| North Carolina | #888 | 9 |
| Virginia | #906 | 7 |
| Arizona | #958 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Emrys is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 21% of US babies named Emrys were girls and 79% were boys.
Emrys is usually pronounced EHM-rihs, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with E and ends in “-ys”.
Middle names for Emrys
A few middle names that flow with Emrys: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Emrys
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Lists that include Emrys
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Emrys mean?
Emrys is a Welsh and Greek name that means “Welsh form of Ambrose, immortal”.
What is the origin of the name Emrys?
Emrys has Welsh and Greek roots. Emrys is the Welsh form of Ambrose, which comes from the Latin Ambrosius and the Greek ambrosios, immortal, a word related to ambrosia, the food of the gods.
Is Emrys a popular name?
Not especially. Emrys ranked #1,260 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Emrys a boy or girl name?
Emrys is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 21% of US babies named Emrys were girls and 79% were boys.
How do you pronounce Emrys?
Emrys is usually pronounced EHM-rihs. 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