How to say it
EM · o · ry
ˈɛm.ə.ri
Unisex
Emory
Brave, powerful ruler
What it means
A variant of Emery, from the Germanic Emmerich, 'whole' or 'universal' plus 'power, ruler.'
Emory is a spelling of Emery, which comes from the Germanic Emmerich, joining a sense of 'whole, universal' to 'power' or 'ruler.' The Normans carried it to England. The -ory spelling tracks Emory University in Atlanta, named for a 19th-century Methodist bishop, and it reads as a polished, unisex surname-style name. Em is the easy short.
How to spell Emory
The standard spelling is Emory. Common variants include Emery, Emmory, Emori, but Emory is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
Feminine: peaked at #333 in 2024, currently #339 in 2025.
Masculine: peaked at #240 in 1881, currently #883 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
- Spelling
Emory and Emery are the same name; the o-spelling echoes Emory University.
- Worth knowing
Unisex, used comfortably for any child.
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.
- Emory University the Atlanta university that anchors the o-spelling
Spelling variants
- Emery
- Emmory
- Emori
Names with the same feeling
See Emory from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Emory mean?
- A variant of Emery, from the Germanic Emmerich, 'whole' or 'universal' plus 'power, ruler.'
- What does Emory mean in Germanic?
- In Germanic, Emory means "Brave, powerful ruler." Emory is a spelling of Emery, which comes from the Germanic Emmerich, joining a sense of 'whole, universal' to 'power' or 'ruler.' The Normans carried it to England. The -ory spelling tracks Emory University in Atlanta, named for a 19th-century Methodist bishop, and it reads as a polished, unisex surname-style name. Em is the easy short.
- How do you pronounce Emory?
- Emory is pronounced ˈɛm.ə.ri. Say it as EM-o-ry, with the stress on the "em" syllable.
- How do you spell Emory?
- The standard spelling is Emory. Common spelling variants include Emery, Emmory, Emori.
- Is Emory a boy or girl name?
- Emory is used for both boys and girls.
- How popular is the name Emory?
- Emory ranked #339 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.