Emilia
Emilia Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
eh-MILL-ee-ah
Meaning of Emilia: Emilia derives from the Roman family name Aemilius, itself built on the Latin root aemulus, meaning "rival" or "striving to excel." The Aemilii were one of Rome's most prominent patrician families, producing several notable generals and consuls during the Republic period.
The name entered English literary history through Shakespeare, who used it in both "Othello" (c. 1603) and "The Two Noble Kinsmen" (c. 1613). Both characters carry the name with distinction, helping to establish Emilia firmly in the English-speaking cultural consciousness. See etymology records.
Emilia is the Italian and Spanish form; Emily is the English form from the same root. The two names follow different adoption curves in the US: Emily dominated from the 1990s through the 2010s, while Emilia gained traction later, benefiting from a preference for the formal, Romance-language ending.
What Does Emilia Mean? Origin & Etymology
In the United States, Emilia entered the SSA top 1000 in 2011 and rose sharply. It reached the top 100 by 2016 and peaked at rank 23 in 2021. SSA records places it at rank 43 in 2024 with 4,634 births. Track the historical trend at SSA Baby Names.
The name gained significant modern visibility through actress Emilia Clarke, whose portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen in "Game of Thrones" (2011-2019) gave the name prime-time exposure for nearly a decade. High-profile character associations are a documented accelerator in name adoption trends.
Variant forms include Emiliana and the Italian Emiliana. Emilia is also the name of a region in northern Italy, Emilia-Romagna, where it remains a traditional given name. The regional association adds a geographic dimension to the name's Italian cultural resonance beyond its Roman etymological origins.
How Popular Is Emilia?
Numerology & Symbolism of Emilia
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Emilia – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Emilia
What does Emilia mean?
What is the origin of Emilia?
Emilia is the Italian and Spanish form of Latin Aemilia. Shakespeare used it in two plays. Actress Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones, 2011-2019) drove a measurable US registration spike during the show’s peak.
How popular is Emilia in the US?
Emilia ranks 43 for girls in the US as of 2024, per SSA data. It entered the top 50 in 2013. Emilia is also popular in Italy, Spain, Czech Republic, and Latin America.
What are variants of Emilia?
Is Emilia more popular for girls or boys?
Emilia is given almost exclusively to girls. It ranks 43 for girls in the US in 2024 and does not appear in the top 1000 boys’ names.
Emilia – Name Variants & Spellings
| Variant | Language |
|---|---|
| Amelia | English cognate |
| Emily | English cognate |
| Emilie | French/German/Scandinavian |
| Emiliana | Italian extended form |
| Emilija | Lithuanian/Serbian |