Fun Facts About the Name Emir
- More than 5 thousand babies named Emir: U.S. records list 5,617 babies given the name Emir from 1880 through 2025. Even 5 girls received the name Emir - about 1 girl for every 1,122 boys.
What Does the Name Emir Mean?
Emir is a masculine name meaning "prince" or "commander." It comes from the Arabic word amīr (أمير), which is built on the root ʾ-m-r, the same root as the verb amara, "to command." The literal sense is "one who commands" or "commander"; the familiar meaning "prince" comes from the word's long use as a title for rulers, governors, and military leaders. The spelling Emir is standard in Turkish and Bosnian and appears in other languages influenced by Ottoman Turkish. It represents the same Arabic word as the more common Arabic transliteration Amir; in Arabic, the given name is normally written Amīr.
Emir Name History & Origins
The Arabic word amīr was used from the early Islamic period for a military commander or a person with authority. The title amīr al-muʾminīn, "Commander of the Faithful," was borne by early caliphs, including Umar ibn al-Khattab, and amīr remained a title for rulers and local leaders in later Islamic states. In the Ottoman Empire, forms of the title were used for commanders and notables. Ottoman Turkish carried the word into southeastern Europe, where it became a given name in Muslim communities, especially among Turkish and Bosnian speakers. In Turkish, Emir is a masculine given name; in Bosnian, it is also used. In Arabic-speaking countries, the corresponding personal name is usually Amīr. English uses emir as a title for a Muslim ruler or prince and also as a personal name.
How Popular is the Name Emir?
Emir recorded its highest annual U.S. birth count in 2025. Its best rank was #551 in 2025.
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 | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | #15,889 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #551 | 546 | 0.0320% |
| 2024 | #557 | 530 | 0.0309% |
| 2023 | #582 | 492 | 0.0288% |
| 2022 | #622 | 449 | 0.0257% |
| 2021 | #695 | 383 | 0.0219% |
| 2020 | #651 | 410 | 0.0238% |
| 2019 | #923 | 237 | 0.0132% |
| 2018 | #1,030 | 198 | 0.0109% |
| 2017 | #1,011 | 200 | 0.0108% |
| 2016 | #1,473 | 117 | 0.0062% |
| 2015 | #1,241 | 147 | 0.0077% |
| 2014 | #1,210 | 152 | 0.0079% |
| 2013 | #1,176 | 153 | 0.0081% |
| 2012 | #1,176 | 155 | 0.0082% |
| 2011 | #1,297 | 132 | 0.0070% |
| 2010 | #1,545 | 104 | 0.0054% |
| 2009 | #1,396 | 122 | 0.0062% |
| 2008 | #1,381 | 123 | 0.0060% |
| 2007 | #1,042 | 181 | 0.0087% |
| 2006 | #1,382 | 116 | 0.0056% |
| 2005 | #1,640 | 83 | 0.0042% |
| 2004 | #1,892 | 65 | 0.0033% |
| 2003 | #2,083 | 54 | 0.0027% |
| 2002 | #2,052 | 53 | 0.0027% |
| 2001 | #2,636 | 36 | 0.0019% |
| 2000 | #2,180 | 46 | 0.0023% |
| 1999 | #2,747 | 31 | 0.0016% |
| 1998 | #3,121 | 25 | 0.0013% |
| 1997 | #2,564 | 31 | 0.0016% |
| 1996 | #3,324 | 21 | 0.0011% |
| 1995 | #3,467 | 19 | 0.0010% |
| 1994 | #3,976 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 1993 | #3,287 | 20 | 0.0010% |
| 1992 | #3,653 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 1991 | #3,871 | 15 | 0.0007% |
| 1990 | #5,510 | 9 | 0.0004% |
| 1989 | #6,425 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 1988 | #5,965 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1987 | #4,347 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1986 | #3,708 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1984 | #4,009 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1983 | #6,554 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1982 | #5,870 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1981 | #5,718 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1980 | #5,105 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1979 | #5,004 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1978 | #4,690 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1976 | #3,337 | 11 | 0.0007% |
| 1975 | #5,000 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1974 | #3,945 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1972 | #5,198 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1971 | #5,148 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1970 | #4,930 | 5 | 0.0003% |
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.
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How the Name Emir 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.
✦ Emir's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Emir's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.