Names That Mean Rival

  1. Emily
    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Emil, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "rival"
    • Description:

      Emily may have dropped somewhat in the current standings, but it was the most popular girls' name for over a decade because it appeals on many levels: Emily is feminine, classic, simple, pretty, and strong. Emily is Number 1 among Gen Z names. It also has those nice literary namesakes, like Emily Dickinson and Emily Brontë.
  2. Emilia
    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Emil, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "rival"
    • Description:

      Emilia is the feminine form of the Roman clan name Aemilius, which derived from the Latin aemulus, meaning "rival." In Shakespeare’s Othello, Emilia is the wife of Iago and confidante of Desdemona. Amelia, although homonymous, has a different root and meaning.
  3. Emilio
    • Origin:

      Spanish and Italian variation of Emil
    • Meaning:

      "rival"
    • Description:

      Dashing and suave, with a hint of poetry and gentleness, Emilio is an appealing and international choice. A solid favorite in Italy, it is also on the rise in the US, France, Austria, and the UK.
  4. Emil
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "rival"
    • Description:

      Derived from the Latin word aemulus, Emil is a name with international appeal. Concise and sturdy but with the gentle Em sound, Emil is popular across Europe, from Azerbaijan to Finland, from Germany to Norway, and Denmark. Alternative spelling Emile also ranks highly in Belgium and Canada.
  5. Emlyn
    • Origin:

      Welsh, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "around the valley; rival"
    • Description:

      Gentle and poetic and most often heard in Wales, Emlyn joins Emrys as soft, interesting alternatives to popular Em- names like Emmett and Emery. Sometimes viewed as a Welsh variation of Emiliano, it more likely comes from the Welsh em and glyn meaning "around the valley" (or possibly from llyn, giving it the meaning "around the lake").
  6. Milia
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Emilia, Latin, or Greek
    • Meaning:

      "rival; apple tree"
    • Description:

      While only 8 baby girls were named Milia in the US in 2021, its rise seems inevitable along with the rise of Emilia and Mila and other similar names. Like Livia, Milia has the advantage of being different from the rest, but the disadvantage of maybe not being different enough (and being a word for tiny, harmless white spots on skin).
  7. Remilia
    • Origin:

      Variation of Emilia, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "rival"
    • Description:

      Remilia is a pop cultural choice, most notably appearing on the character Remilia Scarlet in the video game series, The Touhou Project. In the case of the character, it was invented by the game's creator, likely as a spin on Emilia.

      It is possible the name saw earlier use in the game Lunar: The Silver Star, however, the character was named Lemia in the English version. Remilia was also chosen as an in-game name, by professional League of Legends player, Maria Creveling.
  8. Miel
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Emiel, Dutch
    • Meaning:

      "rival"
    • Description:

      Short form of Emiel that stands on its own in the Dutch Top 100.
  9. Aemilius
    • Origin:

      Roman
    • Meaning:

      "rival"
    • Description:

      A Roman family name, the origin of Emil.
  10. Emlyn
    • Origin:

      Welsh from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "rival"
    • Description:

      An Emily or Emma substitute that may be prettier and more classic as Emmeline or Emeline.
  11. Emilian
    • Origin:

      Romanian form of Emil
    • Meaning:

      "rival"
    • Description:

      With the new trend of boys' names rising on the heels of their popular sisters, the unusual-yet-familiar-feeling Emilian might become better known thanks to its relationship to Emily and Emilia/Amelia. Rather than being two branches of the same tree, Emilian and Emily are actually one tree while Emmett and Emma hang on a whole separate tree. But all have a lot of modern appeal, and Emilian may be a more attractive and intriguing male form than Emil. There was a St. Emilian.
  12. Mil
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Emil, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "rival"
    • Description:

      Super-short names are popular with Dutch-speaking parents, and this shortened form has come a long way from the original Aemilianus. Mil is in the Top 100 in Belgium.
  13. Emiliya
    • Origin:

      Ukrainian form of Emilia, from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "rival"
  14. Emília
    • Origin:

      Portuguese, Hungarian, and Slovak variation of Emilia, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "rival"
  15. Emiel
    • Origin:

      Dutch variation of Emil, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "rival"
    • Description:

      The Dutch spelling of Emil, a European classic that awaits resurrection in the US. Emiel is a Top 100 name in Belgium.
  16. Emiliana
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Emily
    • Meaning:

      "rival"
    • Description:

      The enormous popularity of Emily and Emma means that parents will be looking further afield for substitutes -- and this is one of the prettiest.

  17. Emiland
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "rival or emulator"
    • Description:

      An almost forgotten, but rather dashing, medieval French member of the Emil- family of names.
  18. Emilía
    • Origin:

      Icelandic variation of Emilia, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "rival"
    • Description:

      The Icelandic transcription of Emilia, pronounced with an emphasis on the first syllable.
  19. Emilis
    • Origin:

      Lithuanian variation of Emil, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "rival"
    • Description:

      Common in its native Lithuania, but likely to read feminine in Anglophone countries. Stick with Emil.
  20. Emeliz
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "rival"
    • Description:

      A rare spin on the Emily group of names occasionally used in Spanish-speaking communities. It may be based on the medieval French name Emelisse.

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