How to say it
em · i · LIA · no
/ˌɛm.iˈlja.noʊ/
Masculine
Emiliano
Rival, eager
What it means
Italian and Spanish form of the Latin Aemilianus, 'of the family of Aemilius.' Same root as Emily and Emilia, just the masculine extended form.
Emiliano is the Italian and Spanish masculine of Aemilianus, derived from the Roman gens name Aemilius (probably from aemulus, 'rival' or 'eager'). Saint Emilian of Cogolla was a 6th-century Spanish hermit and one of the patrons of Spain. Emiliano Zapata (1879-1919), the Mexican revolutionary general, is the indelible Latin-American cultural anchor. The English-speaking US has been using the name in earnest since the 2000s, particularly in Latino families. It entered the US top 100 in 2021. Emil is the standard short.
Popularity over time
peaked at #94 in 2025, currently #94 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–present. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Emil is the standard short; Emi shows up too. Many Emilianos keep the full four syllables in formal contexts.
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.
- Emiliano Zapata Mexican revolutionary general, leader of the Zapatistas
- Emiliano Martínez Argentine goalkeeper, 2022 World Cup winner
Spelling variants
- Emiliano
- Emilio
- Aemilianus
Names with the same feeling
See Emiliano from another angle
By style