Emeline is the French form of Emmeline, a Norman name derived from the Germanic element amal, which means "work" or "industrious"; it is a relative of Amelia rather than of Emily. The single-m spelling was common in 19th-century America and in French-speaking countries. Emeline is rare in the United States today, peaking at number 1928 in 2018 and ranking number 2759 in 2025.