Emilia first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Emilia has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Emilia

A feminine name of Latin origin meaning "striving" or "labor".

Popularity of Emilia by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Emilia is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Emilia being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 4,670 female babies and 7 male babies born with the name Emilia.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 7 baby boys were named Emilia in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 7 4,670
2022 9 4,664
2021 0 4,850
2020 5 4,774
2019 7 4,770
2018 5 4,039
2017 0 3,593
2016 0 3,032
2015 0 2,223
2014 0 2,001
2013 0 1,563
2012 0 1,212
2011 0 972
2010 0 927
2009 0 789
2008 0 804
2007 0 781
2006 0 758
2005 0 711
2004 0 630
2003 0 557
2002 0 506
2001 0 407
2000 0 402
1999 0 292
1998 0 249
1997 0 237
1996 0 224
1995 0 213
1994 0 211
1993 0 190
1992 0 208
1991 0 196
1990 0 188
1989 0 158
1988 0 167
1987 0 127
1986 0 118
1985 0 112
1984 0 137
1983 0 127
1982 0 155
1981 0 142
1980 0 116
1979 0 78
1978 0 83
1977 0 77
1976 0 89
1975 0 72
1974 0 63

The history of the first name Emilia

The name Emilia has its roots in the Latin language and culture. It is derived from the Roman family name Aemilius, which is believed to have originated from the Latin word "aemulus," meaning "rival" or "striving." This connection suggests that the name may have been associated with ambition, competition, or striving for excellence.

Emilia was a relatively common name among ancient Romans, particularly within the Aemilian family, one of the most illustrious patrician clans in ancient Rome. Notable historical figures with this name include Emilia Lepida, the wife of the Roman general and statesman Scipio Africanus, and Emilia Tertia, the wife of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius.

The name gained popularity during the Renaissance period, particularly in Italy, where it was often associated with culture, arts, and intellectual pursuits. One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Emilia can be found in Dante Alighieri's famous literary work, the Divine Comedy, where he mentions an Emilia as one of the virtuous pagan souls in Limbo.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Emilia. One of the most prominent is Emilia Pardo Bazán (1851-1921), a Spanish novelist, journalist, and feminist who played a significant role in introducing naturalism to Spanish literature. Another notable figure is Emilia Plater (1806-1831), a Polish revolutionary and leading figure in the November Uprising against the Russian Empire.

Emilia Galotti (1722-1770) was a German writer and playwright known for her tragedy of the same name, which explored themes of virtue, honor, and social inequality. Emilia Bassano Lanier (1569-1645) was an English writer and poet, often considered as the first professional woman writer in England.

Emilia Pardo Bazán, Emilia Plater, Emilia Galotti, and Emilia Bassano Lanier are just a few examples of the many notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Emilia, a name that has been associated with ambition, intellectual pursuits, and cultural significance.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Emilia was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Emilia, please contact us.

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"Emilia first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 3, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/emilia-meaning-and-history/.

"Emilia first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/emilia-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 3 November, 2024

Emilia first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/emilia-meaning-and-history/.

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