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 saw a significant increase in popularity from the late 19th century to the early 21st century. After consistently low figures throughout most of the 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of births named Emmett began to rise steadily around the 1960s, reaching triple digits by 1973.
The name's popularity surged in the late 20th century, with a notable spike occurring between 2008 and 2014. This trend continued into the early 21st century, with Emmett becoming one of the most popular names in recent years, reaching an all-time high of 3657 births in 2021.
However, there has been a slight decline since then, with 3320 births recorded in 2022 and 3061 in 2023. Despite this recent downturn, Emmett remains a prominent name choice for newborns, with over 72572 total births recorded since 1880.