Meaning & origin
How it developed
In English usage, Emmerson as a surname has a “son of” formation linked to Emery.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1915. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Emmerson through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 3,093
- 613 boys · 2,480 girls
- Most popular year
- 2013
- 193 babies
- 2025
- 89
- #2,623 for girls · #4,437 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −30%
- Easing
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 22% boys.
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 66 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 2,623 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 34.0% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 171 in 2013. It also appeared in 23 birth records for boys in 2025. In 2025, California, Georgia, Tennessee and 1 other areas shared the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (5 each). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 2,548 as a first name in 2020; 1,067 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Emmerson’s family of names
In English usage, Emmerson as a surname has a “son of” formation linked to Emery. In English usage, Emmerson has a related form in Emerson. In Greek usage, Emmerson as a surname is a transliteration of Έμμερσον.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 1
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 1
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Emmerson
- Emmerson MnangagwaPresident of the Republic of Zimbabweborn 1942
- Emmerson BoyceBarbadian footballerborn 1979
- Emmerson NogueiraBrazilian guitarist and songwriterborn 1972
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Emmerson, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Adelyn
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Evelynn
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Emersyn
Emersyn is a feminine given name.
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Addison
“daughter of Adam” · “the son of Adam”
2% boys · 98% girls
Elise
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>99% girls
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Reagan
“born into royalty; the little ruler”
7% boys · 93% girls