US Popularity Rank: 2339

Origin: Scandinavian

Meaning: Rival; Striving to excel

Emil is one of those rare names that are popular in numerous cultures around the world, from France to Sweden to Romania, while remaining fresh and exotic to the ear. This industrious masculine name has German and Scandinavian roots and derives from the Latin family name Aemiliaus, one of the most powerful patrician families in ancient Rome. In Latin, this name means “striving to excel” or “rival,” encouraging your little one to strive for the best. Emil has many close masculine and feminine variants, including Émile, Emily, Emilia, and Amelia.