Fun Facts About the Name Emerline
- 12 babies named Emerline: U.S. records list 12 babies given the name Emerline from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Emerline Mean?
Emerline is a rare feminine name, generally treated as an extended form of Emeline (also spelled Emmeline). Emeline comes from the Old French Ameline, a diminutive of Amelia, which goes back to the Germanic name element amal-, commonly translated as "work" or "labor" and understood in the sense "industrious, striving." The ending seen in the longer spellings, -line, reflects the French diminutive form as it was re-spelled in English under the influence of names such as Adeline and Caroline. A separate Latin tradition links some similar-sounding names to aemulus, "rival, emulating," but that derivation belongs to Emily, not to Emerline. The inserted r in Emerline is most likely a later alteration of Emeline; the name is too uncommon for a firm documentary chain, so the connection to the Emeline group is probable rather than certain.
Emerline Name History & Origins
The name belongs to the family of spellings built on Old French Ameline, a medieval diminutive of Amelia that appears in French and later English records. English use of Emeline and Emmeline continued through the early modern period and into the 18th and 19th centuries; the spelling Emmeline appears in 18th-century literature, for instance as the title of Charlotte Smith's novel Emmeline (1788), which is a literary use rather than the name's origin. Emerline follows that same stock of spellings and is best described as a rare elaboration of it, with an r inserted after Emer- and the familiar -line ending retained.
Emerline is sometimes confused with the Irish name Emer (anglicized Eimear), the wife of Cú Chulainn in the Ulster Cycle. The two names look alike but come from unrelated sources, and there is no basis for deriving Emerline from the Irish name. Because Emerline itself is recorded so infrequently, its history is largely the history of the Emeline/Emmeline group it follows.
How Popular is the Name Emerline?
Emerline has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 1921. Its best rank was #4,147 in 1921.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1921 | #4,147 | 7 | 0.0006% |
| 1918 | #5,055 | 5 | 0.0004% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Most Popular Girl Names That Start with E
How the Name Emerline Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are fine when in harmony but changeable when in discord, because many of your best qualities are then reversed. You are entertaining but may be impulsive. Freedom is a necessity, and you find it difficult to settle down. Your versatility results in many changes, and often brings travel. Your fine intellect is capable of high honors if applied seriously. You are capable of inspired thinking applied to material things. You can be restless, changeable, and very sexy. You have an eventful, exciting life. You are versatile and have the ability to learn easily.
You desire to inspire and lead, to control other's affairs. You are giving, courageous and bold, action oriented,energetic and strong willed. You want to make a difference in the world, and this attitude often attracts you to cultural interests, politics, social issues, and the cultivation of your creative talents.
✦ Emerline's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Emerline's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.