Is Emilia too popular?

[Lilacduck111]

Hi, I’ve been thinking about what name would be a good fit for my daughter. My son’s name is Alistair.

Right now, Emilia, Felicity, and Fiona are on my shortlist.

I really love the sound of Emilia. It’s soft and elegant.
Felicity appeals to me because of its sense of grace and nobility.
And I like Fiona because it pairs so nicely with Alistair.

That said, I’m a bit concerned that Emilia might be too popular. Since Alistair isn’t in the top 100 names in Scotland (where I live), I’d prefer to choose something similarly uncommon for my daughter.

I’d really appreciate some suggestions and help!

I’d say yes it is, and I work with children. There are tons of Emilia’s, Amelias and Millies and they all roll in to one. Amelia is definitely more popular. I love Felicity.

I think also because they all have Rose/Grace/May as the filler middle name it makes it a bit dull.

All three are nice.
I prefer Felicity and Fiona.

Other names ..
Elspeth
Edwina
Jane

Amelia is more popular and 7th in the Scotland girls names last year with Emilia down at 57. That's 73 babies in a year so the chances of there being another one in her class at school are fairly slim! If you look on the "Council Girls" tab in the first download on this page they're both quite regional. Amelia is the most common girl's name in Midlothian.
Babies First Names 2024 - National Records of Scotland (NRS)
Felicity is awfully English to me! Fiona feels a bit too dated and not in a trendy way.
Alistair and Florence
Alistair and Flora
Alistair and Freya

Yeah, that’s what I’ve been thinking too. I like all of those names you mentioned, but I think I’d prefer something a bit more unique.

Amelia is popular ages 10-20. Never had an Emilia at my primary school in last 17 years.

Is Felicity being very English a bad thing in Scotland? I’m not from the UK, so it’s hard for me to tell.
And yes, I also get the feeling that Fiona might be a bit dated but I still like it.

Emilia certainly isn't unique if that's what your after!

How about:

Emmerline
Constance
Clemence
Clementine

Fiona sounds especially lovely in a Scottish accent, in my opinion (as a Londoner!)

I don't think Felicity coming across as very English is a bad thing in Scotland, it just doesn't feel like it belongs with Alistair to me! But if you're not Scottish then maybe that matters less.

The only Felicity I know is Scottish!

Why do names need to belong together? Having said that they are both classic names so do belong.

Felicity means happiness I think, so that’s nice.

Emilia is lovely and I actually don’t know any (or any Amelia’s or Millie’s), across 3 big schools! So maybe it’s area dependent.

Felicity is likely to be shortened and I don’t like Flick / Fliss etc.

Fiona is ok - a bit dated / Shrek associations

How about

Leonie
Anneliese
Miriam
Marceline Marcie)
Lorena (Lori)
Frida

(outside UK top 100)

Amelia is extremely popular in my part of SW England. Emilia is popular too. There are two of each in DD's year at primary school and the teachers refer to them by their full names e.g. Amelia Selworthy, Emilia Trevarthen, etc. It's a bit of a mouthful.

Only you can define what 'too popular' means to you. Personally, I wouldn't be bothered by national popularity. From what you have said though, I would say that it probably is too popular for you, yes.

Felicity fits the bill. I much prefer it to Fiona.

Emilia gets mixed up with Amelia. Also it gets misspelt.
Fiona and Felicity are nicer,

I have an Emilia and everyone assumes Amelia. It’s annoying as I emphasise the Em rather than Am sound and no one confuses Emily and Amalie!

@lapuf That's because the stress in Amelie and Emily is on the first syllable.

Emilia and Amelia are extremely similar and they are both (Amelia being particularly high) in the top 100. So it probably doesn’t fit in with your criteria of it being a bit uncommon alongside your sons name.

what about
Edie
Autumn
Eliza
Lara
Louise
Penny
Martha
Josie
Harriet

I like Emilia but yes it’s popular where we are. As others have said, Fiona is a bit dated. I know a few people called Fiona but they all tend to be 45 or over.
I really like Felicity and it goes well with Alistair. Or Hermione would be nice too.

I’d go for Fiona - it’s v underused right now, you can start the revival

Emilia has been v v overdone, along with v similar names like Emily and Amelia

I love Felicity, but it’s getting quite popular

Verity maybe?

Iona?

Love Felicity and Alistair together, very pretty names. Fiona is nice too, Amelia/Emilia not so much and has been very common for a while.

I agree Amelia and Emelia are too similar and confusing.
Fiona is good - strong name and as a pp said would sound good in a Scottish accent.
Not as keen on Felicity.
How about Josephine, Lori, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Jacqueline, Maria, Francesca, Georgina.

Amelia has been really popular where we are in Scotland and you probably run the risk of having to explain it's Emilia, not Amelia. My hairdressers's daughter is Amelia and she hates the way it's pronounced in a broad Glasgow accent so worth thinking about whether that would change the way you feel about the name. That being said, if I could guarantee how others would pronounce it, Emilia is my favourite of the three.