How popular is Emily really?

AJo32 · October 2015

DH is set on naming our baby girl Emily. It's the only name he's been excited about and I really like the name too. I think it's classic and cute and can grow with her into adulthood, but I also know that it's in the top ten for girls names. I'm not so much concerned that it's a "common" name, but at the same time I don't want her to have to go by Emily T. because there are 5 other girls in her class with the same name, which was the case for me growing up. I'm a teacher and in the past 8 years in the classroom I've only had one Emily. So what does everyone think...how popular is Emily really?

bameier · October 2015

Check the social security name popularity for the state you live in, that can really differ from the over all list. Example: Lucy is one of my favorite names and it's 62 nation wide but in the top 5 in my state. If you give her a middle name that flows well she can go by first and middle name if there are too many Emilys in a class.

Edit: typo

kayway85 · October 2015

Anecdotally, we know lots of little girls named Emily, Emmelyn, Emma, Emmie...etc. (I have a two year old) I think it's more than just an Emily trend; it's an EM- trend. Will she probably be Emily S or Emily F (whatever your last initial is) in school? Yes. But it's a lovely name. If you like it, use it.

wassuphoes · October 2015

It is currently rank 7, it is trending down though. The good thing is while Em names are trending generally (Emma, Emmeline, Emerson, Emery, and all the misspellings) Emily has been around forever, so no ones going to timestamp it.

As far as whether she'll be Emily last initial, it's a crapshoot. She might be the only Emily in her class, she could be one of 4. It's not something you really have control over. Check the list for your state for a better idea. Last year, 64 girls were named Emily in Idaho, whereas in Virginia 320 girls were named Emily.

RSB1982 · October 2015

I LOVE the name Emily for a little girl, its on my short list. I've been wondering the same thing as far as popularity goes. I personally do not know anyone who has used the name Emily for a little girl but I have the same fear that if I have a little girl she will forever be known as Emily B in school.

momo21 · October 2015

I know lots of adult Emilys, but no babies. The youngest I know of is about 12. I'm in Illinois. It's a great name -- I don't think you can go wrong.

As for whether there will be others in her class, like pp said, it's a crap shoot. There are six girls in my daughter's day care class and two of them are Anya and two of them are Roxy. Mine is kate, which is def more popular, but she's the only one.

SmrBrd2012 · October 2015

I feel like a bunch of the once really popular names are now starting to fade as people struggle to find/use more unique names. I think Emily is one of them. It's obviously still super popular but I don't know any young Emilys, only Emilys around my age.

herewegrow · October 2015

Emily is so classic and beautiful. I know a few Emilys, most over 18, one under one. It was one of my top choices, but DH vetoed. If yall love it, use it!

paytonpedro · October 2015

My name is Emily, and I'm 23. I personally know 4 that I'm close with. And always had 3+ in the same year as me, not even including above and below me. Also, it's been top 10 all 23 years and #1 for like 13-15 of those 23 years. I'd say it's PRETTY popular.
Eta autocorrect fail.

mylilwildflower · October 2015

It's popular because its beautiful. I personally know many more Emma's and Ella's than Emily's.

MamaWren919 · October 2015

I agree with pp that I'd be more concerned about the Em trend. There are so many Emilys, Emmas, Emmies, Emmalynns, etc. I feel like it all runs together/makes them forgettable.

Latina211508 · October 2015

My son has had no girls named Emily in his last two years of school. My husbands friend just named his daughter Emmalyn. But personally I don't know anyone named Emily.

nbpa3027 · October 2015

Coming from the parent of a Noah. Pick the name you love.

My sons first year in preschool he was the only Noah in his whole school (maybe 100ish kids). The second year, he was one of three in his class, but those were the only three in his school. This year he is the only Noah in his whole Kindergarten (60 kids). There is only one set of duplicate names in the grade and that name is Valerie.

You really never know who will be in your kids classes. I personally only know one Jackson or Aiden, but a ton of Henry's. I only know one Sofia, but at lease half a dozen Hazels.

AJo32 · October 2015

Thanks for the input, ladies! It's looking like we're going to stick with Emily, but with 10 weeks to go, who knows, haha! I appreciate the help.

fourtsixand2 · October 2015

I know a couple of girls named Emily, but I wouldn't say it's overused. It's beautiful and classic. Can't go wrong!

saham07 · October 2015

mylilwildflower said:

It's popular because its beautiful. I personally know many more Emma's and Ella's than Emily's.

I agree................

Sematti · October 2015

Love Emily! My daughter has a name that's becoming popular but we still love it. Our rule was as long as we didn't personally know a bunch of girls with the same name, we were good to go with using it. Like others have mentioned, you never know what names will pop up in her classes, circle of friends, etc and it's really out of your control.

blockedrose · October 2015

ive only known one. It started to die off in the late 90s but is having a resurgence in the last few years due to people returning to more traditional names

Linsbins · October 2015

In California, I've never had a student named Emily in my grade level (we do a lot of class groupings and switching) and I've been teaching five years. I had one named Emma.

jeanbug12 · October 2015

I have an Emily, she is 3. We have yet to run into any other Emily's in playgroups, on the playground, or in her preschool. We have met lots of Emmas though! It was also the only name my husband loved, I was concerned about the popularity but I am glad we went with it!

FutureMrsCaesar · October 2015

I have kids in elementary school and preschool and can say I haven't seen a ton of Emilys. DS1 has one in his class right now, who he loves!, but that's the first that I can think of them having had in their class. Also, I would just like to add that my son's names are all very common, but classic like Emily, and we haven't regretted it or had any major issues with duplicate names. We've had a couple instances with more than one Matthew and most likely will with Benjamin also, but it hasn't been a problem. We also call our kids by their full names, so my son will go by Matthew, and the other kid usually goes by Matt.

oneblessedmess · October 2015

I work in a childcare center and I know all the kids, and I don't think we've had any Emilys in the nearly 2 years I've been working there.. I'm in Florida.