Emily

Emily is a feminine given name of Latin origin. It derives from the Roman family name Aemilius, via the feminine form Aemilia; in English it evolved into Emily. The root aemulus means rival or emulous, and the name has long been associated with striving and industriousness.

The name became common in medieval Europe and gained popularity in English-speaking countries from the 17th century onward. It rose to widespread usage in the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries and remains among the most common girls' names in many regions. Variants and related names include Emilia, and diminutives such as Em, Emmy, and Emmie, as well as cognates like Emilia, Emilie, and Amélie in other languages.

Notable people named Emily include Emily Dickinson (1830–1886), American poet; Emily Brontë (1818–1848), English novelist and poet; Emily Blunt (born 1983), English actress; Emily Deschanel (born 1976), American actress; Emily Watson (born 1967), English actress.

In popular culture, Emily has been a common character name in novels and film, such as Emily Thorne, the alias of Amanda Clarke in the television series Revenge, and Emily Elizabeth, a main character in the Curious George series.