Emily

Emily is an English feminine name derived from the Latin Emilia, the feminine form of the Roman family name Aemilius, which is thought to come from the Latin root aemulus, meaning rival or striving to equal. The name was borne by several early Christian saints and became widely used across Europe during the medieval period. It surged in popularity in the English-speaking world during the 19th century, partly through association with the poet Emily Brontë and the reclusive poet Emily Dickinson. Related forms include Emilia, Amelia, Emilie, and the masculine Emil.