How to say it
a · MEEL · i · a
əˈmil.i.ə
Feminine
Emilia
Rival, eager
What it means
From the Latin Aemilia, feminine of the Roman gens name Aemilius. The root carries a sense of rivalry, eager effort, and competitive striving.
Emilia and Amelia look like sisters but trace to genuinely different roots: Emilia from the Latin Aemilius, Amelia from the Germanic amal (work). Centuries of overlap have blurred them in English use, but the Italian, Spanish, German, and Romanian Emilia is its own name with its own history. Shakespeare gave Emilia a sharp voice as Iago's wife in Othello, the one who tells the truth too late. Currently US top hundred for girls and climbing, often shortened to Em, Mia, or Millie.
How to spell Emilia
The standard spelling is Emilia. Common variants include Emily, Émilie, Aemilia, Emiliana, but Emilia is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #40 in 2021, currently #45 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
Two accepted forms: eh-MEEL-yah (Italian) and eh-MILL-ee-ah (more anglicized). Either is fine; pick early.
- Spelling
Emilia and Amelia look similar on paper and have crossed in pronunciation over centuries, but they come from different Latin roots.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Emilia Clarke Actress, Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones
- Emilia (Othello) Iago's wife in Shakespeare's Othello
Spelling variants
- Emily
- Émilie
- Aemilia
- Emiliana
Names with the same feeling
See Emilia from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Emilia mean?
- From the Latin Aemilia, feminine of the Roman gens name Aemilius. The root carries a sense of rivalry, eager effort, and competitive striving.
- What does Emilia mean in Latin?
- In Latin, Emilia means "Rival, eager." Emilia and Amelia look like sisters but trace to genuinely different roots: Emilia from the Latin Aemilius, Amelia from the Germanic amal (work). Centuries of overlap have blurred them in English use, but the Italian, Spanish, German, and Romanian Emilia is its own name with its own history. Shakespeare gave Emilia a sharp voice as Iago's wife in Othello, the one who tells the truth too late. Currently US top hundred for girls and climbing, often shortened to Em, Mia, or Millie.
- How do you pronounce Emilia?
- Emilia is pronounced əˈmil.i.ə. Say it as a-MEEL-i-a, with the stress on the "meel" syllable.
- How do you spell Emilia?
- The standard spelling is Emilia. Common spelling variants include Emily, Émilie, Aemilia, Emiliana.
- Is Emilia a boy or girl name?
- Emilia is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Emilia?
- Emilia ranked #45 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.