Emmett is a unique and distinctive name of Irish origin. It comes from the Irish surname Ó'Maoilíosa, which means "son of Maoilíosa". The name Maoilíosa itself is derived from an Old Gaelic personal name that was composed of two elements: "máel" meaning "chief" or "illustrious", and "iosa" meaning "godly".
The name Emmett has a long history, dating back to the Middle Ages in Ireland. It was traditionally used as a surname before becoming more popular as a given name in recent years. Some famous people with the name Emmett include American actor Emmett J. Scanlan, Irish footballer Emmet O'Connor, and Australian rules footballer Emmett McGrath.
Despite its historical roots, Emmett is still relatively rare today, making it a unique choice for parents looking for an unusual yet meaningful name for their child. It has a strong and distinctive sound, with the "m" and "t" consonants giving it a powerful ending. Overall, Emmett is a name that combines Irish heritage with modern appeal, making it a great option for parents who want to give their child a special and significant name.
The name Emmett has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. Looking at the statistics from 1880 to present day, we can observe several trends.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of babies named Emmett remained relatively low, with fewer than 150 births per year until 1912. However, between 1912 and 1927, there was a notable increase in popularity, with over 500 births per year.
The name Emmett continued to be moderately popular throughout the mid-20th century, with around 300-400 births per year from 1950 to 1980. However, it began to decline in popularity during the late 1970s and early 1980s, with fewer than 150 births per year between 1979 and 1985.
After a period of low popularity, Emmett started to gain traction once again in the mid-1990s. From 1992 onwards, the number of babies named Emmett began to rise significantly, with over 100 births per year until 2009. Since then, there has been a remarkable surge in popularity, with over 3,000 births per year from 2009 to present day.
In total, between 1880 and 2023, there have been 72,572 babies named Emmett born in the United States. The name's recent resurgence in popularity is evident in these statistics, with a significant increase in births over the past decade.