Girl name · Latin
Emilia
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: rival, striving to equalEmilia is a girl's name that comes from Latin and means "rival, striving to equal". It is used in English, German, Italian, Scandinavian, Spanish and Polish.
- Meaning
- Rival, striving to equal
- Origin
- Latin
- Gender
- Girl
- US rank
- #45 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Emilia
As a girl's name, Emilia comes from Latin and means "rival, striving to equal". It is used in English, German, Italian, Scandinavian, Spanish and Polish.
In German, say eh-MEE-lee-ah. In Italian, say eh-MEE-lyah. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Emilia on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Emilia on 3 lists.
“Rival; Latin, from the Roman family name Aemilius. Say eh-MEE-lee-ah”
From German girl names, popular German girl names
“Rival, striving to equal; Latin. Say eh-MEE-lyah”
From Italian girl names, italian girl names that work in English
“Rival, eager; Latin. Say eh-MEE-lyah”
From Spanish girl names, hispanic and Latina names from across the Americas
How popular is Emilia?
- US rank in 2025
- #45
- 4,677 babies, 2,910 per million girls
- Best rank
- #40 in 2021
- 4,854 babies that year
- Babies since 1880
- At least 69,076
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 101 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 107 per million |
| 1900s | 128 per million |
| 1910s | 110 per million |
| 1920s | 101 per million |
| 1930s | 75 per million |
| 1940s | 48 per million |
| 1950s | 36 per million |
| 1960s | 39 per million |
| 1970s | 47 per million |
| 1980s | 79 per million |
| 1990s | 123 per million |
| 2000s | 344 per million |
| 2010s | 1,391 per million |
| 2020s | 2,913 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #103 | #77 | #58 | #44 | #41 | #40 | #44 | #42 | #43 | #45 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Emilia
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- ÉmilieRival, striving to equal (Latin, girl)
- EmilyRival, striving to equal (Latin, girl)
Names spelled like Emilia
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
- EilísGod is my oath (Hebrew, girl)
Names with a similar meaning
Middle names for Emilia
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a shorter length, so the full name flows.
- AgnesPure, chaste (Greek, girl)
- AmberAmber, golden fossil resin (Arabic, girl)
- BessMy God is an oath (Hebrew, girl)
- HopeThe virtue of hope (English, girl)
- JuneSixth month, named for Juno (Latin, girl)
- NaomiPleasantness, sweetness (Hebrew, girl)
- NiamhBright, radiant (Irish Gaelic, girl)
- RoseFragrant garden flower (Latin, girl)
More girl names from Latin
- LauraLaurel tree (Latin, girl)
- OliviaOlive tree (Latin, girl)
- CarinaDear, beloved (Latin, girl)
- FloraFlower, blossom (Latin, girl)
- MarinaOf the sea (Latin, girl)
- ReginaQueen (Latin, girl)
- ValentinaStrong, healthy (Latin, girl)
- CelesteHeavenly, of the sky (Latin, girl)
- ClaraClear, bright (Latin, girl)
- DianaDivine, heavenly (Latin, girl)
Emilia: common questions
What does the name Emilia mean?
Emilia comes from Latin and means "rival, striving to equal".
Is Emilia a boy or girl name?
Emilia is mainly a girl's name. In 2025, 4,677 girls and 5 boys in the US were named Emilia, according to Social Security Administration data.
Where does the name Emilia come from?
Emilia comes from Latin and means "rival, striving to equal". Today it is used in English, German, Italian, Scandinavian, Spanish and Polish.
How popular is the name Emilia?
Emilia ranked #45 in the US in 2025, with 4,677 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Emilia?
Forms of Emilia with the same meaning and origin include Émilie (French) and Emily (English).
What middle names go with Emilia?
Middle names that flow well with Emilia include Agnes, Amber, Bess, Hope and June. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.