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Gender-neutralOrigin debated3 syllables

Emerson

Meaning: not confirmed (origin debated)

About the name Emerson

The origin of Emerson is debated, and we couldn't confirm its meaning from a sourced etymology. A commonly cited theory links it to English roots, with the meaning “Son of Emery”. Treat that as a theory, not a settled fact.

Why we say this: we only state a meaning as fact when a sourced etymology (Wiktionary, with its references) supports it. For Emerson we didn't find one we were confident in, so we show the popular explanation as a theory.

It has a modern feel. In 2025, Emerson ranked #122 for girls in the US, with 2,241 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 2025.

US rank 2025
#122
In 2015
#180
Babies in 2025
2,241

Popularity of Emerson, 1940–2025

05601.1k1.7k2.2k19401960198020002020
Girls BoysBabies per year in the US

Latest SSA data: 2025.

Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).

Nicknames for Emerson

Names similar to Emerson

Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.