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

Popularity of Emmy by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Emmy is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 599 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Emmy.

The history of the first name Emmy

The name Emmy originates from the German language and is a diminutive form of the name Emma. Emma itself is derived from the Germanic word "ermen," meaning "whole" or "universal." The name has been in use since at least the 8th century AD in various parts of Europe, particularly in Germany and the surrounding regions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Emmy can be found in the 9th century Carolingian era, when a noblewoman named Emmy von Leiningen was mentioned in historical records. However, the name did not gain widespread popularity until the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Emmy is also considered a variant of the Hebrew name Imma, meaning "mother" or "nurturer." This connection to the concept of motherhood may have contributed to the name's appeal and widespread use in various cultures.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Emmy. One of the earliest was Emmy of Brittany (c. 1092-1137), who was the daughter of Duke Alan IV of Brittany and the wife of William IX, Duke of Aquitaine. Another prominent figure was Emmy von Leyen (c. 1215-1284), a German noblewoman and benefactor of the Teutonic Order.

In more recent times, the name Emmy has been associated with several accomplished women, such as Emmy Noether (1882-1935), a renowned German mathematician who made groundbreaking contributions to abstract algebra and theoretical physics. Emmy Hennings (1885-1948) was a German poet, writer, and performer, known for her involvement in the Dadaist movement.

Another notable Emmy was Emmy Bemmelen (1920-2017), a Dutch actress and singer who had a prolific career spanning over seven decades. Emmy Verhey (1939-2012) was a Dutch violinist and conductor, recognized for her innovative approach to music education.

It is worth noting that the diminutive form Emmy has often been used as a nickname for individuals with the name Emma, adding to the popularity and recognition of the name in various cultures and time periods.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!