Emilee

Emilee is a modern English spelling variant of Emily, which derives from the Latin family name Aemilius, itself likely rooted in the Latin word aemulus, meaning rival or striving to equal. The name became widely popular in English-speaking countries through the 19th and 20th centuries, partly associated with the poet Emily Dickinson and the novelist Emily Brontë. Emilee represents a phonetic respelling intended to give the traditional name a distinctive written form while preserving its pronunciation. Closely related forms include Emilie, Emilia, and Amelia.