National Emily Day - It’s National Emily Day — a day dedicated to all the Emilys in the world.

National Emily Day 2024 – July 16, 2024

National Emily Day is a yearly occurrence that takes place on July 16 to celebrate all Emilys. Emily is a classic traditional feminine name and is the feminine form of Emile. The name has its origins in Latin. Emily was derived from the Roman name Aemilia and Amemilia, evolved from the Latin word ‘aemulus,’ meaning ‘hardworking’ or ‘rival.’ The Aemilius family was prominent and powerful in ancient Rome. Emilia has the same Latin root as Emily and Amelia which is also similar and is derived from the Germanic name Amalia.Emily has been the most common name given to girls in the U.S. for over a decade. It is a very popular name and was among the top ten from 1991 to 2016. It has the highest ranking among the most popular names in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.

History of National Emily Day

History has witnessed a lot of prominent Emilys. In the 18th Century, the German House of Hanover came to the English throne and brought the name to the attention of the English-speaking world. The two princesses, Princess Amelia Sophia Eleanor of Great Britain and Princess Amelia of the United Kingdom, were nicknamed Emily.Emily Bronte was an English novelist and poet who wrote ‘Wuthering Heights’ which is now considered a classic of English literature. When it was originally published, Emily’s name did not appear as the author since it was attributed to Ellis and Acton Bell.Emily Dickenson was an American poet and is regarded as one of the most important figures in American poetry but it was only after her death, when her younger sister discovered her poems, that her work became public.Finally, Emily Blackwell was the second woman to earn a medical degree after Nancy Talbot Clark in 1993. She was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.

National Emily Day timeline

1886
Emily Dickinson’s Passing

Dickinson dies and her work becomes public.

1993
Hall of Fame

Emily Blackwell is inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.

1996 — 2007
Number One

Emily is the number one baby name for girls in America.

2006
“The Devil Wears Prada”

Emily Blunt stars in the hit “The Devil Wears Prada.”

National Emily Day FAQs

Is Emily a Hebrew name?

The Hebrew version of Emily is Emili.

Is Emily a last name?

The surname Emily originally derived from the Old English word ‘Amalric,’ which referred to someone who held great power.

When did Emily become popular?

Emily grew in popularity during the 19th century.

National Emily Day Activities

  1. Beaded jewelry

    Get yourself or your child a beaded name bracelet. Order it online or visit a store selling beads with letters on them and make a customized set for yourself.

  2. Read “Wuthering Heights”

    Head off to the library, get a copy of “Wuthering Heights” and spend the day reading it. Don’t forget to critically examine what you read.

  3. Watch “The Devil Wears Prada”

    Grab some popcorn and snacks and settle in to watch “The Devil Wears Prada.” It’s one of Emily Blunt’s finest roles.

5 Interesting Facts About Emily Bronte

  1. She couldn't spell

    Emily Bronte could not spell as a child — grammar, punctuation, and spelling were not one of her strongest skills when she was growing up.

  2. An accomplished pianist

    Bronte was an excellent pianist and was given a post as a music teacher at the Pensionnat Heger school.

  3. Another book

    Before her death, there was speculation that she was in the process of writing another book.

  4. She refused treatment

    Even though she was dying from tuberculosis, Bronte refused any treatment from doctors.

  5. Pay to publish

    The novel was rejected several times before Thomas Cautley Newby agreed to publish them for £50.

Why We Love National Emily Day

  1. There are many interesting Emilys

    Many famous Emilys have an interesting history. Today’s the perfect day to learn about them.

  2. A great introduction to literature

    We are introduced to literature through one of the interesting novels. Read a book by an Emily today.

  3. We learn the meaning of names

    Most of us probably haven’t thought about the meaning of this name before. Today is a chance to get to know what Emily (and your name) really means.

National Emily Day dates

Year Date Day
2023 July 16 Sunday
2024 July 16 Tuesday
2025 July 16 Wednesday
2026 July 16 Thursday
2027 July 16 Friday