Emily is the English form of the Roman family name Aemilia, which probably comes from the Latin aemulus and means "rival" or "eager". Poet Emily Dickinson and novelist Emily Bronte are the name's best-known bearers in the English-speaking world. Emily was the most popular girls' name in the United States in 2000 and held number one for twelve years in a row from 1996 to 2007; it has gradually slipped since and ranks number 34 in 2025.