Emmerson Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: EM-er-sun //ˈɛmərsən//
Origin: English; German
Meaning: son of Emery (English); brave and powerful (German)
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Emmerson is of English origin, derived from the Old Germanic name "Emmerich," which means "power" or "universal ruler." The name evolved through various linguistic stages, transitioning from Old High German to Middle English. In the 12th century, the name began to be used as a surname, often denoting "son of Emery" or "son of Emmerich," with the suffix "-son" indicating lineage.
This patronymic form became common in England during the medieval period, particularly as surnames began to solidify in usage around the 13th century. Historically, the name Emmerson has connections to notable figures and literary works.
One significant milestone is its appearance in the 19th century, particularly through the works of American writer Ralph Waldo Emerson, who was a central figure in the transcendentalist movement. His philosophical writings and essays, published in the 1830s and 1840s, contributed to the cultural landscape of the time, and his influence extended into various fields, including literature, philosophy, and social reform.
The name, therefore, carries a legacy associated with intellectual and cultural advancement. Culturally, the name Emmerson resonates with themes of strength and leadership, reflective of its etymological roots.
It has been embraced in various forms, including the diminutive "Emmy," which has its own historical significance as a term of endearment. The name's enduring appeal can be attributed to its strong phonetic qualities and the positive connotations associated with its historical figures.
Overall, Emmerson embodies a blend of heritage and cultural significance, making it a name with deep roots in English history.
Famous people named Emmerson
In this section, you will find notable people named Emmerson. 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 Emmerson who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Emmerson 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.
Emmerson Mnangagwa is a politician best known for being the President of Zimbabwe and a key figure in the country's independence movement.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Emmerson, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Emmerson was first seen in the United States in 1998.
Emmerson has ranked as high as #1191 nationally, which occurred in 2013, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Illinois, North Carolina, and Ohio.
In the past 5 years the name Emmerson has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Emmerson 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 Emmerson was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Emmerson (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 |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 7 | |
| NC | 6 | |
| OH | 5 |
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 Emmerson.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 65 |
| 2023 | 74 |
| 2022 | 75 |
| 2021 | 85 |
| 2020 | 95 |
| 2019 | 105 |
| 2018 | 102 |
| 2017 | 123 |
| 2016 | 128 |
| 2015 | 154 |
| 2014 | 158 |
| 2013 | 171 |
| 2012 | 136 |
| 2011 | 108 |
| 2010 | 122 |
| 2009 | 136 |
| 2008 | 129 |
| 2007 | 106 |
| 2006 | 110 |
| 2005 | 65 |
| 2004 | 29 |
| 2003 | 39 |
| 2002 | 33 |
| 2001 | 19 |
| 2000 | 17 |
| 1999 | 17 |
| 1998 | 12 |