How to say it
e · MI · li · o
ɛˈmiː.li.oʊ
Masculine
Emilio
Rival, eager
What it means
Italian and Spanish form of Latin Aemilius (the Roman family name). Same root as Emily, Emilia, and Emiliano. Emilio Estevez (born Emilio Estévez Sheen) and Emilio Aguinaldo are the strongest English-language anchors.
Emilio is the Italian and Spanish form of the Latin Aemilius (the Roman family name probably derived from aemulus, 'rival' or 'eager'). The Aemilii were one of the great Roman patrician families. Saint Emilian of Cogolla (a 6th-century Spanish hermit) anchors the religious tradition. Emilio Aguinaldo (1869-1964) was the first president of the Philippines. Emilio Estevez (born 1962, the eldest of the Sheen brothers, Charlie Sheen is his younger brother) is the dominant English-language Hollywood anchor. The English-speaking US has used Emilio in earnest since the 1980s; it's been in the US top 200 since 2009. Common short: Emi.
How to spell Emilio
The standard spelling is Emilio. Common variants include Aemilius, Émile, but Emilio is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #151 in 2024, currently #154 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
- Nickname
Emilio shares the Emi/Em short with Emily, Emma, Emery, and Emiliano.
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.
- Emilio Estevez American actor and filmmaker, The Breakfast Club and The Mighty Ducks; older brother of Charlie Sheen
- Emilio Aguinaldo First president of the Philippines, 1899-1901
Spelling variants
- Aemilius
- Émile
Names with the same feeling
See Emilio from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Emilio mean?
- Italian and Spanish form of Latin Aemilius (the Roman family name). Same root as Emily, Emilia, and Emiliano. Emilio Estevez (born Emilio Estévez Sheen) and Emilio Aguinaldo are the strongest English-language anchors.
- What does Emilio mean in Italian?
- In Italian, Emilio means "Rival, eager." Emilio is the Italian and Spanish form of the Latin Aemilius (the Roman family name probably derived from aemulus, 'rival' or 'eager'). The Aemilii were one of the great Roman patrician families. Saint Emilian of Cogolla (a 6th-century Spanish hermit) anchors the religious tradition. Emilio Aguinaldo (1869-1964) was the first president of the Philippines. Emilio Estevez (born 1962, the eldest of the Sheen brothers, Charlie Sheen is his younger brother) is the dominant English-language Hollywood anchor. The English-speaking US has used Emilio in earnest since the 1980s; it's been in the US top 200 since 2009. Common short: Emi.
- How do you pronounce Emilio?
- Emilio is pronounced ɛˈmiː.li.oʊ. Say it as e-MI-li-o, with the stress on the "mi" syllable.
- How do you spell Emilio?
- The standard spelling is Emilio. Common spelling variants include Aemilius, Émile.
- Is Emilio a boy or girl name?
- Emilio is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Emilio?
- Emilio ranked #154 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.