Find out how popular the first name Emlyn has been for the last 46 years (from 1978 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Emlyn by gender

Based on the last 46 years of data, Emlyn is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 99% of people named Emlyn being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 20 female babies and 5 male babies born with the name Emlyn.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 5 baby boys were named Emlyn in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Emlyn

The given name Emlyn originated from the Welsh language, spoken primarily in Wales. It derives from the Welsh words "em" meaning "brow" or "ridge", and "llyn" meaning "lake" or "pool". Together, the name is said to mean "ridge by the lake" or "ridge near the pool". This makes sense given the geographical landscape of Wales, known for its mountainous terrain and numerous lakes and bodies of water.

The name Emlyn has its roots in the early medieval period of Welsh history, around the 5th to 8th centuries. It was a common name among the Welsh people during this time, particularly in areas like Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and Ceredigion. Variations in spelling such as Emlin, Emlyn, and Emelyn were also used.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Emlyn can be found in the Annales Cambriae, a chronicle of Welsh history dating back to the 10th century. The name is mentioned in reference to a person named Emlyn ap Gwriad, who was involved in battles against the Saxons in the late 6th century.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Emlyn. One of the most famous was Emlyn Williams (1905-1987), a Welsh actor, playwright, and screenwriter. He was known for his one-man show "Dylan Thomas Growing Up" and his performances in films such as "The Corn Is Green" and "Goodbye, Mr. Chips".

Another notable Emlyn was Emlyn Hooson (1925-2003), a Welsh lawyer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for the UK's House of Commons from 1962 to 1979. He was a prominent figure in the Liberal Party and a strong advocate for Welsh language and culture.

In the field of literature, Emlyn Williams (1878-1958), a Welsh playwright and novelist, was known for his work "The Corn Is Green", which was later adapted into a film starring Bette Davis.

Emlyn Capel (1869-1965) was a Welsh Baptist minister and author who wrote extensively on religious and theological topics, including a biography of the Welsh preacher Christmas Evans.

Emlyn Rees (1850-1912) was a Welsh academic and clergyman who served as the principal of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, and played a significant role in the development of higher education in Wales.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who carried the name Emlyn, reflecting its deep roots in Welsh culture and its continued use over the centuries.

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 Emlyn was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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