Given name
Emmeline
Emmeline is a variant of Emma. Emma’s shared Germanic element carries the sense “entire” or “whole.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Emmeline is a variant of Emma. Emma’s shared Germanic element carries the sense “entire” or “whole.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is Germanic.
How it developed
In English usage, Emmeline is a diminutive of Amélie. Emmeline is a variant of Emma. The shared background comes through Emma: Emma was shortened from names containing the element erm(en) or irm(en), such as Ermintrude and Irmgard. Emma’s later use as a pet form of Emily is a separate naming practice, not the explanation of its older origin.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
The story
The name experienced a revival in the 19th century.
Emmeline through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 6,152
- 0 boys · 6,152 girls
- Most popular year
- 2017
- 370 babies
- 2025
- 284
- #922 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −19%
- Easing
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 284 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 922 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 18.9% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 370 in 2017. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (32). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 4,182 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Emmeline’s family of names
In English usage, Emmeline has a diminutive in Emmy. Emmeline has a related form in Emma. In English usage, Emmeline has a diminutive in Em.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 7
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 3
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
See also 2
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Emmeline
- Emmeline PankhurstEnglish suffragist1858–1928
- Emmeline Pethick-LawrenceBritish women's rights activist, editor (1867-1954)
- Emmeline NdongueFrench basketball player (born 1983)
- Freda Du FaurAustralian mountaineer (1882–1935)
- Emmeline RagotFrench bicycle racerborn 1986
- Emmeline MooreAmerican biologist and botanical collector1877–1963
- Emmeline Custsculptor; (1867-1955)
- Emmeline B. WellsGeneral President of the Relief Society1828–1921
- Lady Emmeline Stuart-Wortleynoblewoman; British poet, editor1806–1855
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Emmeline, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
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Emmalina
Emmalina is a feminine given name from Germanic.
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Eveliina
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Jocelynn
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>99% girls