Emery Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: EM-uh-ree /ˈɛməri/
Origin: Old French; Germanic
Meaning: Old French: brave; Germanic: work ruler
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Emery has its roots in the Old German name "Emmerich," which is derived from the elements "amal," meaning "work," and "ric," meaning "ruler" or "power." This name evolved through various linguistic stages, transitioning from Old High German to Old French as "Haimric" before being adopted into Middle English as "Emery." The name was introduced to England by the Normans after the Conquest in the 11th century, where it was used as both a given name and a surname, reflecting the influence of Norman culture on English naming practices. Historically, the name Emery has been borne by notable figures, including Saint Emery, a 7th-century bishop of the Church, who contributed to the spread of Christianity in Europe.
The name also appears in various medieval texts, including the works of Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century, which helped to solidify its presence in English literature. Additionally, the name was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, indicating its usage in early medieval England.
Over the centuries, variations of the name have emerged, including "Emery" as a surname, which has been documented since the 13th century. Culturally, the name Emery has been associated with strength and leadership due to its etymological roots.
It has been embraced in various forms across different cultures, often symbolizing industriousness and authority. The name's historical significance and its connection to themes of power and work have contributed to its endurance through the ages.
A diminutive form, "Emmy," has also been used, though it is less documented in historical texts. Overall, Emery reflects a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution and cultural resonance, embodying qualities that have made it a lasting choice throughout history.
Famous people named Emery
In this section, you will find notable people named Emery. 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 Emery who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Emery 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.
Emery Cohen is an actor best known for The OA, Brooklyn, and The Place Where We Lie.
Emery Smith is a former military personnel and researcher best known for his work in the field of ufology and as a speaker on extraterrestrial life.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Emery, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Emery. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Emery was first seen in the United States in 1906.
Emery has ranked as high as #176 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in Texas, California, North Carolina, Ohio, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Emery has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Emery 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 Emery was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Emery (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 | 427 | |
| CA | 325 | |
| FL | 149 | |
| NC | 137 | |
| OH | 121 | |
| NY | 98 | |
| TN | 93 | |
| IN | 93 | |
| IL | 87 | |
| GA | 85 | |
| PA | 81 | |
| WA | 79 | |
| UT | 77 | |
| AZ | 77 | |
| MO | 71 |
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 Emery.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 3,197 |
| 2023 | 3,111 |
| 2022 | 2,971 |
| 2021 | 2,920 |
| 2020 | 2,983 |
| 2019 | 3,017 |
| 2018 | 3,008 |
| 2017 | 2,698 |
| 2016 | 2,420 |
| 2015 | 2,424 |
| 2014 | 2,046 |
| 2013 | 1,675 |
| 2012 | 1,485 |
| 2011 | 1,172 |
| 2010 | 1,024 |
| 2009 | 976 |
| 2008 | 680 |
| 2007 | 520 |
| 2006 | 352 |
| 2005 | 318 |
| 2004 | 207 |
| 2003 | 155 |
| 2002 | 133 |
| 2001 | 106 |
| 2000 | 103 |
| 1999 | 109 |
| 1998 | 91 |
| 1997 | 71 |
| 1996 | 75 |
| 1995 | 47 |
| 1994 | 39 |
| 1993 | 39 |
| 1992 | 45 |
| 1991 | 26 |
| 1990 | 29 |
| 1989 | 27 |
| 1988 | 18 |
| 1987 | 20 |
| 1986 | 21 |
| 1985 | 19 |
| 1984 | 17 |
| 1983 | 19 |
| 1982 | 12 |
| 1981 | 11 |
| 1980 | 8 |
| 1979 | 11 |
| 1978 | 11 |
| 1977 | 9 |
| 1975 | 6 |
| 1974 | 13 |
| 1972 | 5 |
| 1962 | 5 |
| 1960 | 7 |
| 1959 | 5 |
| 1957 | 9 |
| 1949 | 5 |
| 1942 | 5 |
| 1939 | 6 |
| 1938 | 6 |
| 1929 | 6 |
| 1928 | 5 |
| 1927 | 6 |
| 1926 | 6 |
| 1925 | 5 |
| 1923 | 7 |
| 1922 | 6 |
| 1920 | 5 |
| 1918 | 6 |
| 1917 | 5 |
| 1906 | 5 |