Emerson
Emerson is a unisex name of English origin meaning “Son of Emery; brave, powerful”, pronounced EM-er-suhn. It ranked #122 in the United States in 2025, given to 2,241 babies, and peaked at #122 in 2025. Common nicknames: Em, Emmy, Sonny.
How popular is Emerson in the United States?
Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Based on all Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
What does Emerson mean, and where does it come from?
Emerson is an English surname formed from the medieval given name Emery, itself derived from the Germanic Amalric, meaning "brave power" or "work-ruler," combined with the patronymic suffix "-son." Long used as a boy's name, it gained cultural weight through American essayist and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, and has surged for girls since the 2000s as part of the broader surname-name trend. Emerson now ranks among the most popular unisex names in the United States.
How is Emerson used around the world?
Emerson is used in 1 languages worldwide, with 1+ international variants.
TypeMale given name
Linguistic data: Wikidata (CC0). Variants and language usage may vary by region.
What are the nicknames for Emerson?
Famous People Named Emerson
- Ralph Waldo Emerson — American essayist and philosopher
- Emerson Fittipaldi — Brazilian Formula One world champion
- Emerson Palmieri — Brazilian-Italian professional footballer
Similar Names to Emerson
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Sibling Name Ideas for Emerson
Looking for names that pair well with Emerson? Here are some sibling name suggestions that share a similar style and feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Emerson mean?
Emerson is a unisex name of English origin meaning "Son of Emery; brave, powerful." Emerson is an English surname formed from the medieval given name Emery, itself derived from the Germanic Amalric, meaning "brave power" or "work-ruler," combined with the patronymic suffix "-son." Long used as a boy's name, it gained cultural weight through American essayist and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, and has surged for girls since the 2000s as part of the broader surname-name trend.
How do you pronounce Emerson?
Emerson is pronounced EM-er-suhn. Common variations include Emmerson, Emersyn, Emmersyn.
Is Emerson a unisex name?
Yes, Emerson is traditionally a unisex name. Popular nicknames include Em, Emmy, Sonny.