Emerson Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: EM-er-sun /ˈɛmərsən/
Origin: English; German
Meaning: English: brave; powerful; German: son of Emery
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Emerson has its roots in the Old English name "Emærson," which translates to "son of Emery." The name Emery itself is derived from the Germanic elements "amal," meaning "work," and "ric," meaning "ruler" or "power." This etymological journey reflects a lineage that traces back to the early medieval period, where names often indicated lineage or occupation. The transition from Old English to Middle English saw the adaptation of many names, including Emerson, which began to be used as a surname before evolving into a given name in later centuries.
Historically, the name Emerson gained prominence in the 19th century, particularly through the influence of notable figures such as the American essayist and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882). His works, which emphasized individualism and nature, contributed to the cultural resonance of the name in American literature and thought.
The use of Emerson as a first name began to emerge more prominently in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, reflecting a broader trend of adopting surnames as first names during this period. Culturally, the name Emerson has been associated with qualities such as strength, creativity, and intellectualism, largely due to the legacy of Ralph Waldo Emerson.
The name has also been embraced in various literary and artistic contexts, symbolizing a connection to the transcendentalist movement and a celebration of the human spirit. While diminutive forms like "Emmy" or "Em" may be used informally, the name Emerson stands strong in its own right, embodying a rich historical and cultural narrative.
Famous people named Emerson
In this section, you will find notable people named Emerson. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Emerson who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Emerson who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Emerson Fittipaldi is a former racing driver best known for winning the Formula One World Championship and the Indianapolis 500.
Fictional characters named Emerson
The following list of fictional characters named Emerson is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Emerson Cod is a fictional character from the TV series Pushing Daisies. He is a private investigator who partners with a pie maker who can bring the dead back to life to solve murder cases.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Emerson, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Emerson was first seen in the United States in 1993.
Emerson has ranked as high as #338 nationally, which occurred in 2017, and has been most popular in Texas, California, North Carolina, Ohio, and Georgia.
In the past 5 years the name Emerson has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Emerson is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Emerson was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Emerson (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 177 | |
| CA | 125 | |
| NC | 121 | |
| OH | 118 | |
| GA | 92 | |
| NY | 75 | |
| MA | 71 | |
| FL | 70 | |
| IL | 70 | |
| PA | 68 | |
| IN | 62 | |
| TN | 60 | |
| CO | 52 | |
| VA | 51 | |
| MO | 47 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Emerson.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,965 |
| 2023 | 1,771 |
| 2022 | 1,724 |
| 2021 | 1,743 |
| 2020 | 1,793 |
| 2019 | 1,865 |
| 2018 | 1,948 |
| 2017 | 1,978 |
| 2016 | 1,962 |
| 2015 | 1,798 |
| 2014 | 1,683 |
| 2013 | 1,524 |
| 2012 | 1,312 |
| 2011 | 1,151 |
| 2010 | 1,010 |
| 2009 | 1,017 |
| 2008 | 1,164 |
| 2007 | 1,080 |
| 2006 | 1,069 |
| 2005 | 683 |
| 2004 | 268 |
| 2003 | 324 |
| 2002 | 280 |
| 2001 | 183 |
| 2000 | 136 |
| 1999 | 143 |
| 1998 | 146 |
| 1997 | 20 |
| 1996 | 16 |
| 1995 | 16 |
| 1994 | 14 |
| 1993 | 11 |