Emi Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: EH-mee /ˈɛmi/
Origin: Japanese; English
Meaning: Japanese: beautiful; English: short form of Emily
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Emi has its roots in Japanese, where it is often derived from the characters "恵" (e) meaning "blessing" or "favor" and "美" (mi) meaning "beautiful." This combination reflects a common practice in Japanese naming conventions, where the meaning is often derived from the kanji characters used. Emi can also be a diminutive form of names such as Emiko, which incorporates the suffix "ko," meaning "child." The use of such diminutive forms is prevalent in Japanese culture, where affection and familial ties are emphasized through naming.
Historically, the name Emi has been used in Japan for centuries, with its earliest recorded instances likely appearing in the Heian period (794-1185), a time noted for its cultural and artistic achievements. The name has been borne by various figures in Japanese literature and folklore, contributing to its cultural resonance.
In the context of Japanese history, names often carry significant weight, reflecting virtues, aspirations, or familial lineage, which has helped maintain the name's relevance across generations. Culturally, Emi is associated with positive attributes such as beauty and grace, which are highly valued in Japanese society.
The name's connotations of blessing and beauty have made it a favored choice among parents. Additionally, the name's simplicity and melodic quality contribute to its enduring appeal.
Emi's presence in literature and media, particularly in modern Japanese storytelling, has further solidified its place in the cultural landscape, allowing it to resonate with themes of hope and positivity.
Famous people named Emi
In this section, you will find notable people named Emi. 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 Emi who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Emi 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.
Emi Hirai is a professional wrestler best known for her performances in the Japanese wrestling circuit.
Fictional characters named Emi
The following list of fictional characters named Emi 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.
Emi Yusa is a fictional character from the anime and light novel series The Devil is a Part-Timer!. She is a hero from another world who follows the demon lord Satan to Earth and becomes a key figure in the story's conflict.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Emi, 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 Emi. 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 Emi was first seen in the United States in 1916.
Emi has ranked as high as #1676 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Hawaii, and Washington.
In the past 5 years the name Emi has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Emi 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 Emi was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
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 Emi.
| Year | Total Births | Girl |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 303 | 303 |
| 2024 | 260 | 260 |
| 2023 | 213 | 213 |
| 2022 | 202 | 202 |
| 2021 | 175 | 175 |
| 2020 | 161 | 161 |
| 2019 | 166 | 166 |
| 2018 | 158 | 158 |
| 2017 | 120 | 120 |
| 2016 | 174 | 174 |
| 2015 | 168 | 168 |
| 2014 | 200 | 200 |
| 2013 | 135 | 135 |
| 2012 | 156 | 156 |
| 2011 | 135 | 135 |
| 2010 | 111 | 111 |
| 2009 | 109 | 109 |
| 2008 | 73 | 73 |
| 2007 | 91 | 91 |
| 2006 | 71 | 71 |
| 2005 | 63 | 63 |
| 2004 | 59 | 59 |
| 2003 | 86 | 86 |
| 2002 | 45 | 45 |
| 2001 | 53 | 53 |
| 2000 | 56 | 56 |
| 1999 | 43 | 43 |
| 1998 | 37 | 37 |
| 1997 | 33 | 33 |
| 1996 | 29 | 29 |
| 1995 | 20 | 20 |
| 1994 | 18 | 18 |
| 1993 | 25 | 25 |
| 1992 | 24 | 24 |
| 1991 | 31 | 31 |
| 1990 | 19 | 19 |
| 1989 | 30 | 30 |
| 1988 | 22 | 22 |
| 1987 | 21 | 21 |
| 1986 | 21 | 21 |
| 1985 | 19 | 19 |
| 1984 | 23 | 23 |
| 1983 | 25 | 25 |
| 1982 | 26 | 26 |
| 1981 | 31 | 31 |
| 1980 | 39 | 39 |
| 1979 | 13 | 13 |
| 1978 | 14 | 14 |
| 1977 | 14 | 14 |
| 1976 | 16 | 16 |
| 1975 | 15 | 15 |
| 1974 | 13 | 13 |
| 1973 | 18 | 18 |
| 1972 | 21 | 21 |
| 1971 | 9 | 9 |
| 1970 | 8 | 8 |
| 1968 | 10 | 10 |
| 1967 | 8 | 8 |
| 1966 | 5 | 5 |
| 1965 | 10 | 10 |
| 1964 | 8 | 8 |
| 1962 | 7 | 7 |
| 1958 | 8 | 8 |
| 1954 | 6 | 6 |
| 1950 | 5 | 5 |
| 1944 | 5 | 5 |
| 1940 | 5 | 5 |
| 1937 | 5 | 5 |
| 1933 | 5 | 5 |
| 1927 | 8 | 8 |
| 1926 | 7 | 7 |
| 1925 | 9 | 9 |
| 1924 | 8 | 8 |
| 1920 | 5 | 5 |
| 1919 | 5 | 5 |
| 1918 | 5 | 5 |
| 1916 | 6 | 6 |
Top States for Emi (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 79 | |
| TX | 27 | |
| NY | 16 | |
| HI | 14 | |
| FL | 10 | |
| WA | 9 | |
| AZ | 6 | |
| NJ | 6 | |
| GA | 6 | |
| VA | 6 | |
| NC | 5 | |
| CO | 5 | |
| IL | 5 | |
| MA | 5 |