Emerson
Gender: Unisex
Meaning: Son of Emery or son of the brave and powerful one
Origin: Old English/Germanic
Popularity: Ranked #122 in 2025 with 2,241 babies born.
History: Emerson is an English surname meaning son of Emery, where Emery derives from the Old High German 'Amalric,' meaning work-power or brave-powerful. It became a given name partly in honor of American transcendentalist philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson. It has been used for both boys and girls in the United States and has grown significantly in popularity in the 21st century.
Name length: 7 letters
How common is Emerson? About 1 in 922 babies born in 2025 were named Emerson, or roughly 9.9 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Emerson
What does the name Emerson mean?
Emerson means “Son of Emery or son of the brave and powerful one” from Old English/Germanic roots.
What is the origin of the name Emerson?
Emerson has Old English/Germanic origin. The traditional meaning is “Son of Emery or son of the brave and powerful one”.
How popular is Emerson?
Emerson ranked #122 in 2025 — given to 2,241 babies that year.
When was Emerson most popular?
Emerson peaked in 2025 with 2,241 babies registered that year.
Is Emerson a boy or girl name?
Emerson is used for both boys and girls. In the records, about 50% of Emersons are boys and 50% are girls.
Is the name Emerson rising or falling in popularity?
Emerson has risen 33 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #155 in 2020 to #122 in 2025.
How long has Emerson been recorded?
Emerson appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.