Boy · Latin · Christian
Emil
EmilSay it EM-il
- Meaning today
- Rival, eager
- Original meaning
- "from Aemilius, a Roman clan name, derived from aemulor, to rival" Lewis & Short, s.v. Aemilius
- Say it
- EM-il
- Other spellings
- Emile
Emil
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Emil meaning
Emil is a Christian boy's name of Latin origin.
From Aemilius, a Roman clan name, derived from aemulor, to rival
Also used to mean: eager
Emil comes from Aemilius, the name of one of the oldest Roman clans, which Lewis & Short derive from aemulor, 'to rival' or 'to strive to equal'. Name lists give it as 'rival' or 'eager', in the sense of someone who works to match the best. The name passed into German and the Scandinavian languages as Emil and into French as Émile, while Emily and Emilia are its feminine forms. In India Emil is used for boys in Kerala's Christian families.
Source: Lewis & Short, A Latin Dictionary (1879), s.v. Aemilius · entry Aemilius · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026
References: Lewis & Short, Aemilius (alatius.com) · Wikipedia, Emil (given name)
Popularity abroad
- #771 England and Wales, boys 2025
Office for National Statistics
Official birth registrations. India publishes no national name statistics.
Spellings
Emil · Emile