Names that start with Em have been a fixture among baby names in the top 200 most popular given names each year since the 1990s. It’s a cute little micro trend that does not show signs of stopping. Beginning in 1990, Emily entered the top 10 for girls and Emma rose into the top 100 for the first time since the 1940s, according to Nameberry. Since then, thousands of baby girls have received one of the charming names that start with Em.
Names that start with Em for girls that land in the top 200 today include Emily, Emma, Emilia, Emery, Emersyn, Ember, and Emerson. For boys, it is a bit of a different story with only three Em names ranking. Emmett, Emiliano, and Emmanuel all rank among the top 200 most popular names in the US right now. These names that start with Em are all perfectly fine but we wanted to round up some lesser-known options to share with you in case you are looking for something special. Take a look!
Girl Names That Start With Em
Embla
Embla is the Norse equivalent of Eve in Norse mythology. This gorgeous name has an equally appealing meaning in “elm,” making it a subtle nature appellation. The name is the second most popular name for baby girls in Iceland today and it is the fastest-growing name for girls in Sweden. We think American parents will love this one too.
Emalina
Emalina is a rare female form of the name Emil. It shares the same root as Emily and means “rival.” If you are looking for the perfect alternative to Emily, we can think of no other names that start with Em that come close. Unfortunately, this name is virtually unknown in the US.
Emblyn
Emblyn is a name of Cornish origin that sounds exactly the same as “emblem.” The name is derived from a German root that means “work.” This name is actually related to Amelia. Virtually unheard of outside of the UK Emblyn is one of our favorite names that start with Em that most American parents don’t know.
Embry
Embry is a unisex name and one of the few names that start with Em that can go both to boys and girls. Embry is a habitational name of English origin that means “hill with a flat top.” The Em beginning and the -y ending really do fit in well with other popular names for girls today. It’s never been a popular choice in the US but it has so much potential.
Emebet
Emebet is a name of Ethiopian and Amharic and it means “royal lady.” Emebet used to be an honorific title alone but it has begun being used as a given name in Ethiopia today. It also is a reference to the Virgin Mary. The name is extremely rare outside of Ethiopia today and we hope to hear more of it in the future.
Emelda
Emelda is a gem name, a Persian form of Emerald, that means “green.” Emelda is one of the most enchanting names that start with Em on this list. It feels both new and vintage at the same time. If you’re looking for a balanced appellation for your daughter, give this a try instead of Esmeralda.
Emelise
The emphasis goes on the final syllable of the name Emelise, so it should be said as eh-meh-LEESE. The name is of French Creole origin and it is rarely heard outside of Lousiana. Emelise is form Emil, a very unique one. Thus, this name, like Emily, means “rival.”
Emer
Emer is an Irish Gaelic name that is steeped in mythology. The name belongs to the legendary wife of Cuchulainn. According to legend, she was graced with the six attributes of womanhood: beauty, voice, speech, wisdom, chastity, and needlework. You pronounce this one ee-mer. Like so many names that start with Em on this list, Emer has never been a fashionable choice in the US.
Emerence
For those unfamiliar with French pronunciation (we could all use a little help), you pronounce Emerence as EH-meh-rans. This very French name means “merit” or “deserving.” It has a winning meaning and sophisticated sound that might be the perfect balance for new parents today.
Emeria
Emeria is a cousin to Emerence, they are both derived from the same Latin root, Emerentius. Thus, this name also means “merit” or “deserving.” Emeria has a more playful sound than the previous name and it is considered either a contracted Latin form of the name or a Catalan form of the name. Unfortunately, not many babies have been given this name in the US. You can change that, parents!
Emiko
In many East Asian languages, the meanings of names depend on the kanji used to form the written name. Emiko is a Japanese name that can mean “smiling child,” “beautiful child,” and “laughing child.” Despite the name being accessible to most English speakers, it has never been a popular option in the US. We love it!
Emina
Emina, pronounced eh-MEE-nah, is a name found in both Slavic and Arabic naming traditions. The name is typically taken to mean “truth.” But Emina is often used as a shortened form of a variety of Slavic names so the name’s meaning can change depending on what it has been shortened from.
Emmanuelle
Emmanuelle is a French form of a Hebrew name that means “God is with us.” Despite being one of the most beautiful names that start with Em and that it gives you the desirable Emmy nickname, Emmanuelle has never ranked in the US. Is the time now for this name to have its time in the sun?
Emmeline
Emmeline was a popular Medieval Name for baby girls. It is of German, French, and English origin and it is believed that the name made its way to England via one of the Norman conquests. Emmeline is an ornamental version of the German name Amal, which is the root of so many names but most notably Amelia. Thus this name means “work.” This ancient name has gained traction in the US in recent years, landing in the top 1000 for the first time ever in 2014. We think it’s only climbing up from here.
Emzara
Pronounced em-ZAH-rah, Emzara is a biblical name of Hebrew origin that means “mother of Sarai.” The name of Noah’s wife, a daughter of Rake’el, Emzara is an untapped possibility. We feel this name could be a great fit for a girl today as it is established but has the attractive Z-sound. It’s one of our favorite girl names that start with Em. We hope you love it too!
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Boy Names That Start With Em
Eman
A masculine, short form of the Hebrew name Emanuel, Eman offers parents a brisker take. Eman is a rare name in the US but we think it has a lot going for it. For starters, the name means “God has heard.” Lovely! It also has an agreeable two syllables that so many parents look for in their boy names.
Emari
Emari is a name of German and Hebrew origin and means “industrious.” It’s 100% a unisex name but most male Emaris consider their name as a variation of Amari, which is pronounced with emphasis on the second syllable.
Emathion
A bit of a mouthful but not impossible, Emathion is a name derived from Greek and it means “sandy.” The name belongs to several figures in Greeky mythology including one associated with modern-day Macedonia. Most parents have never heard of this name but we thought it was a colorful possibility among these boy names that start with Em.
Emereo
How adorable is the name Emereo? The name is derived from Latin, a form of the clan name Emerentius. The root of the name means “merit” or “deseerving.” Like so many of the names that start with Em on this list, Emereo has never garnered much favor from American parents. You really can’t go wrong with this winning option.
Emeric
Emeric is the streamlined French form of the German name Emmerich. The root of this name means “power,” which is a mood. The name is currently a popular choice for baby boys in France and you might hear it along the gulf as it is a favored choice among the Cajun communities there. In fact, its thought the name Emeril is derived from the name. An excellent alternative to Eric, Emeric could be the one for your son!
Emersby
Okay, we know the name Emersby is not going to be for everyone but we do think it has potential, especially if you are looking for a highly unique choice that still feels established. Emersby is derived from an English surname, a habitational name that means “Emery’s farm.” Even as a surname, this one is rather uncommon so if you’d like to travel to uncharted territory with your son’s name, this would be the direction to go in.
Emeth
Emeth is a form of Emet, both are derived from Hebrew and have the glorious meaning of “truth.” Emeth is one of our favorite names that start with Em that American parents are largely overlooking. It is completely accessible, sweet and short, and very handsome. You know you want to put this one on your baby name shortlist!
Emilio
Emilio has pretty much been a favored name for boys in the US since record keeping began in the 1880s. It is more popular today than ever before and we could not be happier about it. Emilio is the Spanish or Italian form of the Latin name, Emil, which is the basis of quite a few appellations on this list. The name means “rival.” While unique, Emilio is one of the better known names that star with Em on this list.
Emir
Emir is a fantastic, multicultural name that can be found in Turkish, Bosnian, and Arabic naming traditions. The name can be a title of honor where Arabic is spoken. It’s a popular option for boys in the Balkan countries. The name means “prince” and “ruler.” It has finally become mildly popular in the US, landing in the US top 1000 name for boys in 20189 for the first time. The only way is up for this amazing appellation!
Emlyn
A name that sounds brand new as well as modest and established. Emlyn is a name of Welsh origin from a Latin root that means “charming.” Heard often in Wales today for both boys and girls, most American parents have yet to encounter this flattering name. It has a soft sort of appeal, making it one of our favorite unisex names that start with Em.
Emmaus
Pronounced eh-MAY-us, Emmaus is an ancient name so old that it predates Greek! The name is of Aramaic origin and means “hot spring.” The name could offer added meaning for religious parents as Jesus appears to two of his disciples on the road to Emmaus after his death, burial, and resurrection.
Emmon
Emmon is an Irish name and form of Edmund that means “rich protection.” We think it’s one of the boy names that start with Em that offers a gentle touch. While most know Edmund, many American parents have likely never encountered Emmon. With so many Irish names becoming popular in the US today, this is one with plenty of untapped potential.
Emry
Emry is a completely unisex baby name that we actually prefer for boys, but by all means, live your life! Emry is a name of German origin, a form of Emery. This name has never been a popular choice in the US but we hope you help to change that!
Emrys
Though you might think Emrys is a form of Emry, you would be mistaken. Emrys is a name of Welsh origin that is related to the Latin name that brings us Ambrose, thus, this name has the meaning, “immortal.” Emrys has not landed on the popularity charts just yet but expect that to change in the next couple of years. Parents are taking notice of this enchanting name and it’s going places!
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Emzar
Emzar is a Gerogian name that sounds like an absolute blast. One of the most colorful boy names that start with Em, Emzar has a zippy sound worth reveling in. The meaning of this name is unclear but the Nameberry experts think it could mean “cohabitant” or it could be a play on the Persian root, zar, meaning “gold.” Choose this unique name and you get the option between two killer nicknames in MZ or Zar.
There you go! We hope you found these names that start with Em to be as handsome and charming as we did. If you would like to keep reading for more baby name inspiration, check out some popular names from the Victorian Era that we feel deserve a revival today.
Victorian-Era Names for Girls
Rosina
Hypnotism, divination, and spiritualism were huge in the Victorian Era. Rosina Thompson was a famous medium back in the day in England and was popular for her trance “mediumship.” The name Rosina means “rose” and has Italian origins.
Adelia
We told you that the Victorian Era brought many flower-inspired names! Adelia refers to a genus of flowering plants. The name Adelia, however, comes from German and shares the same root as the name, Albert. Adelia Cleopatra Graves was a Victorian Era academic and poet in the US. Most people know her by her pen name, “Aunt Alice.” Her poetry and books appealed to children interested in learning new languages and different cultures.
Gwendoline
The names Gwendoline or Gwendolen only came into common use in the 19th Century. The name hails from Wales and means “fair” or “blessed.” Many people associate the name with the mythical queen of the Britons who spelled it Guendoloena. Welsh painter Gwendolen John preferred to go by “Gwen” was a Victorian Era painter who was overlooked at the time but art historians today consider a formidable portraitist.
Phoebe
Phoebe comes from Ancient Greek and means is the feminine form of Phoebus. The name means “bright.” Gilbert and Sullivan were all the rage in the Victorian Era creating classic comic operas like The Pirates of Penzance. In 1888, the duo released their 11th opera, The Yeomen of the Guard that featured the character, Phoebe Meryll.
Constance
As you might have guessed, the name Constance means “constant” and it’s the name Connie came from. Constance Georgine Markievicz was an Irish woman who blazed a trail in the Victorian Era and would eventually become the first woman ever elected to the Westminster Parliament.
Sylvia
Probably the name with the best meaning on this list, Sylvia is Latin and means “spirit of the wood.” At the end of the Victorian Era, Sylvia was the 137th most popular girl’s name in Britain.
Flora
We weren’t joking about the flowery names! Flora was one of the most popular names of the Victorian Era and means “flower.” A famous Victorian with the name was Flora Stevenson who became one of the first, if not, the first woman elected to a school board. She fought tirelessly for education to be expanded to the poor and also advocated for women’s inclusion in all school settings.
Mercy
The name Mercy means so many things to so many people and that’s why the name became popular in Victorian times. The name can mean “forgiveness,” “thanks,” or “blessing.” This is another name that fell out of fashion in the Victorian Era but became popular again. By the 1970s, the name was extremely popular in the US.
Violet
Violet is a name for girls that’s also shared with pretty purple flowers. Violet was one of the most popular names given to girls in the late Victorian Era. Born right at the end of the era in 1899, Violet Wood became a British supercentenarian who lived for 112 years. She spanned the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries.
Amelia
Amelia comes from the Old German word “amal” which means “to work.” Amelia Bloomer was an American women’s rights advocate who operated during the time. Victorian fashion was brutal for women and entailed the wearing of corsets, skirts, and dresses. It was not acceptable for a woman to wear pants. “Bloomers” got their name from Amelia Bloomer’s tireless advocacy.
Freda
Freda, Frida, Frieda, and Frinta are all different spellings of this popular name. The name is German and means “peace.” Freda Dudley Ward was an English socialite best known for being a married paramour of the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VIII. It was a poorly kept secret in aristocratic circles. Edward VIII’s father Edward VII became king after Queen Victoria’s death.
Selina
Selina is a Greek name that means “moon.” In Australia, there was a gold rush in 1850 that brought many new faces to the country. English culture, of course, played a huge role in Australian society at the time as it still does to this day. The name Selina took off in Australia after political activist Selina Siggins popularized the name by running for a spot in the Australian House of Representatives in the late Victorian Era.
Victoria
We could not talk about Victorian names without discussing the name that defined the era, Victoria. In Roman mythology, the goddess of victory was named Victoria. Before the current Queen, Victoria was the longest-ruling monarch to ever wear the British crown.
Olive
Olive is such a special name for a baby girl. This English name refers to an olive tree which is a symbol of peace and success. Olivia is a popular form of the name that has, since the Victorian Era, been the more popular of the two.
Cora
The name Cora comes from Greek and was Persephone’s maiden name. Hence, the name means “maiden.” As we mentioned, spiritualism, mediums, and seances were very common in the Victorian Era. Cora L. V. Scott was one of the best-known mediums of the late 19th Century. She was so popular, in fact, that she was invited to London to give a speed at Cleaveland Hall. Cora is a beautiful name that we wish would make a comeback.
Victorian-Era Baby Names for Boys
Silas
The name Silas comes from the Latin name Silvanus and both Silas and Silvanus are names used in the Bible. Commonly shortened to Sy or Si, the name has some flexibility. It means “forest” and for nature lovers who don’t want to seem too granola, the name is perfect.
Albert
Prince Albert was Queen Victoria’s husband and was seen as very progressive at the time. He worked to abolish slavery around the world and also changed University Cambridge’s curricula to be more inclusive and modern. For parents who love science or art, you could do no better than choosing the name, Albert. The name comes from Old German Adalbert and means “noble” and “bright.”
Rufus
The name Rufus really took off in the US in the Victorian Era but before that, the name was popularized by King William II who was called the name because of his red hair. The name is Roman/Latin and does indeed mean “red-headed.”
Miles
In Latin, the word “miles” means soldier, and many knights through the Medieval era were also referred to as “miles.” The name Miles means “merciful soldier.” Miles has ticked up in popularity in the US after Chrissy Teigen gave her son the name.
Valentine
Valentine is a unisex name that’s popular for both girls and boys now. During the Victorian Era, the name was more commonly given to baby boys. The name’s origin is Latin and means “strong.”
Felix
Felix is a popular name across Europe today and was way back in the Victorian Era. The name is Latin and means “lucky” or “happy.” Felix Mendelssohn was a world-renowned German composer in the early Victorian Era who gave us the melody to the Christmas carol, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”
Cecil
Cecil is a popular English name that comes from Latin and means “blind.” This beautiful name belonged to Victorian British Imperialist Cecil Rhodes who mined across Africa. The African territory Rhodesia was named for him and the Rhodes Scholarship is a result of a fund started by his family.
Bernard
The name Bernard has a fantastic meaning, “brave bear.” The name comes from German and the French form and spelling became popular in English speaking regions. The name fell out of fashion by the end of the Victorian Era in the UK but became extremely popular in the mid 20th Century in the US.
Eustace
The funny-sounding name Eustace was very popular among Victorians and many gave their baby boys the name. The name means “fruitful” and belonged to everyone from saints to politicians. Lord Eustace Cecil was a British nobleman and politician who published Impressions of Life at home and abroad in 1865 which detailed his experiences traveling the world.
Vincent
The name Vincent is derived from Latin and means “conqueror.” Vincent is often shortened to “Vince” and it was a very popular nickname in the Victorian Era. Post-impressionist painter, Vincent Van Gogh was considered a madman and a failure during is life from 1853-1890. Although Victorian times were not too kind to him, later generations would go on to treasure his art.
Simeon
The name Simeon comes from Hebrew and means “obedient.” If Simon is a bit bland for your tastes take inspiration from the Victorian Era and choose the name Simeon for your baby boy.
Nigel
The name Nigel is a very English name that was popular in the Middle Ages. It fell out of fashion until the Victorian Era when antiquarians repopularized it. The name means “champion.” Nigel has never been as common in other countries but was among the 1,000 most common names for boys born in the United States from 1971 to 2010.
Llewellyn
Llywelyn is a Welsh name that’s spelled a few different ways. The name means “lion” or “leader” Many Victorians favored the old name over the newly used Lewis.
Duncan
Duncan is the anglicized version of the Gaelic name Donnchadh. The name means “chief.” In the UK, a common nickname for a Duncan is Dun. This handsome name would be a great one for your little leader.
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Basil
Please name your son Basil. It’s an incredible name that you don’t hear much anymore. Basil is a Greek name that means “king” and shares the same root as words like basilica and basilisk. Basil Mott was a cherished Basil in the Victorian Era. He was a civil engineer that helped extend the Central London Railway and was later became a Fellow of the Royal Society, which was a rare honor for engineers.
We love these Victorian-inspired baby names and hope that you might consider one of them for your baby. From Albert to Victoria, many of these names carry a sense of romanticism that was celebrated at the time. If you are still interested in learning about baby names from the past, keep reading. We have forgotten Depression-era baby names to share with you!