How popular is Emily these days?

[kaymondo]

DH has mentioned it as a possibility if we have a girl. I like it and it goes well with our surname and chosen middle name, but I know a LOT of Emilys who are around 5/6 years old. So is it still really popular or has it fallen out of fashion a bit now?

I should say I'm not after a really outlandish 'out there' name, just not one where there are 5 of them in DC's class!

(and i think i want Esme for a girl but DH isn't convinced!)

[ilovemybum]

I now of 3 Emily's born recently

[ilovemybum]

*know. Stupid phone

[BiscuitNibbler]

There are millions of them, they're everywhere aged 3 and under. Don't do it, OP.

I hate the name though, I think it just sounds whiny. Doesn't help that a couple I know are whiny children I suppose.

[DoubleGlazing]

I know of four young Emilys - two under 5, two primary age.

[startail]

Several teenage ones and two or three younger.

It's a beautiful name and there will some about until the teen Emilys start having DCs, then I guess it will vanish like Claire and Sarah and Susan have.

[PandaNot]

2 in my daughter's nursery class of 23 and another in the afternoon session.

[Alligatorpie]

I know a one week old Emily and several 5/6 year old Emily's. I wouldn't use it, it is too popular for me ( but I was a supply teacher last year and met loads)

[hellsbells99]

How about 'Emma' - similar but not as many about.

[MissKeithLemon]

Emily is a lovely classic name - if you think it suits just go for it!

[FebreezeYourJeans]

My dc 7,8 & 3 know 11 Emilys between them. Esme is much nicer.

[Stellan]

Emily is a timeless name and it's been popular for a very long time: your daughter will meet other Emilys. But, importantly, they won't just be her peers - Emily might be an older child in her school; it might be her teacher's name, her doctor's name or her boss' name. I don't think its popularity should bother you too much as it's not a new phenomenon and I don't think it's a name particularly prone to going in and out of fashion. There'll always be an Emily somewhere.

If you're put off, go with Emma (think it's a bit less common) or, if you're feeling braver, Emmeline (and prepared to correct any mispronunciations).

Other similar names include Amélie, Aimée, Cecily, Eleri, Ellery, Elodie, Emme/Emmy, Lily, Milla and Millie.

[SoFarWeAreEqual]

I know two Emilys who are both three years old. I think it is really safe and dull, sorry.

Emma on the other hand is lovely - much more unusual at the moment too.

[welovesausagedogs]

Emily is a really pretty name, it's a popular name of all ages but i haven't ever met more than one of the same age. I think you should go for it, it's classic simple and understated - it's lovely.

[FondleWithCare]

I know one toddler Emily and one teenage Emily, both lovely. I like it.

[OnlyWantsOneTwoAndThree]

I'm Emily - am in my mid twenties. I don't know ANY other Emilys.



and I'm not whiney

[PercyFilth]

No, it's not a timeless name, it was an old-lady name when I was growing up. It started to come back into popular use around the 1980s as far as I recall.

You might consider Amalie or Amalia? a variation of Amelia from mainland Europe. Quite similar sound to Emily/Emilia, but hasn't been much used in the UK.

[tunaday]

It is very popular but agree with PercyFilth that it's also timeless. It's one of those names that will make it hard to pin someone down to a particular age because of that. Bit like Sarah's - who could be any age. My dd is 26 and one of her mn's is Emily. Her best friend was also an Emily and there were a few at school too back in the Mid-80's. Love Esme too.

[kaymondo]

Thanks for your comments everyone. You've pretty much confirmed my original feeling that it will be pretty common which does put me off. We have considered Emma too, although I have a close friend called Emma so not sure if that would be a bit weird?
I also like Eleri but DH is concerned that both that and Esme are a bit too 'out there' - he's a bit more conservative than me when it comes to names as I don't think either are that wild!

[GeekPie]

I only know one Emily and she is 5. Can't move for Lily's, Evie's and Ava's though. Perhaps it depends on where you live?

[welovesausagedogs]

I really like Esme (and it's not wild at all) a pretty name that people know how to pronounce and their isn't loads of them.

[peggyblackett]

I know a 4 month old Emily and a 4 year old Esme.

Oh and a 12 year old Emily (almost forgot ).

[MagsAloof]

I have a child in infant school and a child at nursery, and there are no Emilys in either of their classes. I know only one child called Emily, ad she is about 8 yrs old.

[lurkinginthebackground]

I think it has dropped in popularity but is still a classic name.