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Emil

Boy name · 79 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Emil: 79 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 7 births in 2014.

Emil comes from the Latin family name Aemilius, originally meaning “rival” or “eager,” and has long been a classic across Scandinavia, Germany, and Central Europe. Famous bearers include Czech distance runner Emil Zátopek, who won four Olympic gold medals in the 1940s and 50s, and German expressionist painter Emil Nolde, known for his vibrant, almost violent use of colour. The name also lives on in the French wine region Saint-Émilion, named after a monk called Emilion who settled there in the 8th century. In Scotland, Emil has been used steadily since the 1970s, often chosen by families drawn to its understated, international appeal—a warm alternative to the more familiar Emilio or the French Émile.