Girl & boy name
Emerson
As of 2025, Emerson ranks #122 among American girls' names, according to Social Security records. 2,241 girls received the name that year. It has climbed from #155 to #122 over the past five years. The name has never been bigger: its all-time peak in a record going back to 1993 is happening right now. Geographically, it's strongest in New Hampshire, where it ranks #45 among girl names.
Rankings
Emerson popularity, 1880–2025
Where Emerson is most popular
Uniqueness score
A familiar pick that most people will recognize instantly. Based on how many babies per birth were named Emerson in the most recent year of SSA data.
Similar names
Emerson as a boy name
Emerson holds the #254 spot on the 2025 list of the most popular boy names in the U.S. That amounts to 1,371 newborn boys in a single year. The ranking has held remarkably steady over the last five years. Remarkably, 2025 is the strongest year in the entire SSA record for Emerson, which stretches back to 1880. The name's biggest fan base is in Vermont (#102 there in 2025).