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!)

I now of 3 Emily's born recently

*know. Stupid phone

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.

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

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.

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

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)

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

and I'm not whiney

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.

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.

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!

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?

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.

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

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

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.

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