Alternatives to Emily

Emily, with ancient Roman roots via Aemilia, has ranked within the American top 1000 since 1880. She has also consistently ranked in the American top 100 since the 1970s and was a top 10 staple between 1991 and 2016. Emily even took the top spot between 1996 and 2007.

The three major factors for Emily's widespread use include:

• Consistent use across the ages with multiple famous namesakes, including poet Emily Dickinson and actor Emily Blunt
• Rolls-off-the-tongue syllabic structure, meaning she, via her emphasis on her first syllable, is fun to say
• Mix of simplicity and elegance with five letters and three syllables as well as her ability to shorten to "Emmy," allowing her to pair equally well with Olivia and Anna

Emily is sure to remain in widespread use for years to come, even though plenty of parents are in search of something less popular. The names below, all of which rank below the top 100, are similar enough (reaching at least two of the above qualifications) to win parents over:

Adele

• Consistent use among English speakers from the Middle Ages with famous namesakes such as American actor Adele Astaire and British singer Adele (Adkins)
• Emphasis on second syllable

Amity

• Three-syllable structure with short vowels and emphasis on first syllable
• Five letters and three syllables

Anne

• Consistent use among English speakers from the Middle Ages with famous namesakes such as multiple royals and English writer Anne Brontë
• Shortens to "Nan" and lengthens to "Annie"

Anika

• Three-syllable structure with emphasis on first syllable
• Three syllables and five letters, shortens to "Annie" or "Niki"

Beatrice

• Consistent use among English-speakers from Middle Ages with famous namesakes such as multiple royals and English social reformer Beatrice Webb
• Three-syllable structure with emphasis on first syllable

Bridget

• Consistent ranking in American top 1000 since 1880 and worn by St. Brigid of Kildare and other notable namesakes
• Two syllables and six letters, shortens to "Bri" or "Bridie"

Camille

• Ancient Roman roots and consistent ranking in top 1000 with famous namesakes such as French painter Camille Claudel and American feminist critic Camille Paglia
• Emphasis on second syllable
• Two syllables and six letters

Cecily

• Consistent use among English-speakers from Middle Ages with famous namesakes such as American actor Cicely Tyson
• Three-syllable structure with emphasis on first syllable

Celia

• Consistent use among English-speakers from 16th century and consistent ranking in American top 1000 since 1880 alongside famous namesakes such as Cuban singer Celia Cruz
• Five letters and three syllables 

Charity

• Consistent use among English-speakers from 16th century and namesakes such as Nigerian athlete Charity Opara
• Three-syllable structure with emphasis on first syllable

Claudia

• Consistent use among English-speakers from 17th century with notable namesakes such as American politician Claudia Tenney
• Three-syllable structure with emphasis on first syllable

Colette

• Emphasis on second syllable
• Two syllables and six letters

Daphne

• Greek mythological roots with consistent use among English-speakers since the sixteenth century and namesakes such as British novelist Daphne du Maurier
• Two syllables and six letters

Diana

• Consistent English-speaking use since 16th century with roots in Greek mythology and namesakes such as Princess Diana of Wales
• Five letters and three syllables

Elise

• Consistent use as French Elizabeth form since Middle Ages and artistic connection via Beethoven's "Für Elise"
• Emphasis on second syllable

Ellen

• Consistent use among English-speakers from Middle Ages with multiple famous namesakes such as American social activist Ellen Gates-Starr and TV star Ellen DeGeneres
• Shortens to "Elle" or "Nell"

Eowyn

• Three syllable structure with emphasis on first syllable
• Five letters and three syllables

Jane

• Consistent use among English-speakers from Protestant Reformation with multiple famous namesakes, including multiple royals, English writer Jane Austen, and zoologist Jane Goodall
• Starts with bouncy "j" and emphasis on long "a" sound in one syllable
• Lengthens to "Janie" or "Jenny"

Martha

• Consistent use among English-speakers from Protestant Reformation with multiple namesakes such as the first American First Lady Martha Washington and American activist Martha Coffin Wright
• Six letters with two syllables

Miriam

• Consistent English-speaking use from Protestant Reformation and ranking among American top 400 alongside Old Testament roots
• Three-syllable structure with short vowels and emphasis on first syllable

Noelle

• Emphasis on second syllable
• Two syllables and six letters

Priscilla

• Consistent English-speaking use from Protestant Reformation and multiple namesakes including Mayflower pilgrim Priscilla Alden alongside New Testament roots
• Three-syllable structure with emphasis on short-vowel-filled second syllable

Simone

• Consistent ranking in American top 1000 from 1960s and famous namesakes such as feminist Simone de Beauvoir and gymnast Simone Biles
• Emphasis on second syllable
• Two syllables and six letters

Susanna

• Consistent English-speaking use from Protestant Reformation and associated with famous ballad "Oh, Susanna!"
• Three-syllable structure with emphasis on short-vowel-filled second syllable

Talia

• Three-syllable structure with emphasis on first short-vowel syllable
• Five letters and three syllables

What names would you add?