Baby Name of the Day: Emmett

The baby name Emmettreads strong and sincere, an old school name that feels fresh and interesting today.

Thanks to Jess for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.

WHAT DOES THE NAME EMMETT MEAN?

Some sources connect Emmett to the same Hebrew roots as Emmanuel, but this name is most often a cousin to Emma.

Emma ultimately comes from ermen – universal. Think of the old German name Ermintrude, the slightly more familiar Irma. Or even Emmerich, which we now know as Emery. 

The name Emma, of course, came from France to England with the Normans. Emma of Normandy married Aethelred the Unready, and became Queen of England in 1002.

Emmett developed as an affectionate nickname for Emma. The Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources lists Emot, Emmot, and several other spellings. The surname developed from all of those -ot and -et forms.

It’s also sometimes inspired by a place name with various possible meanings. 

EMMET or EMMETT?

Both spellings have been around for years.

In terms of pure numbers, the ‘tt’ spelling has consistently been more popular. It’s used by famous clown Kelly, outlaw Dalton, and Doc, from the Back to the Future movies. (Though we typically call that last one, mad scientist Emmett Brown, just Doc.)

Emmet Brickowski from The LEGO Movie, though? He spells with his name with a single T.

From fictional characters to historical figures, both spellings appeared in the US Top 1000 during the late 19th century, when data was compiled. But we can say that -mett is consistently bigger than -met.

MORE FAMOUS FIGURES

There’s one tragic story that must be mentioned: Emmett Till. A teenager in 1955 Mississippi, Till was lynched and his murderers walked free. (They later admitted their crimes.) His death would became a catalyst for the civil rights movement. 

That makes this a hero name, one that is engraved on the Civil Rights Memorial, among other posthumous honors. 

Parents today probably think of a few figures:

• Jim Henson’s 1977 Gift of the Magi-esque Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas is a seasonal favorite. It’s all about a young otter who does the right thing in tough circumstances and celebrates a happy ending just in time for the holidays.
• If your brain is saying “I am Emmett Smith,” it’s actually not quite right. The three-time Super Bowl champ and winner of the third season of Dancing With the Stars spells his name Emmitt. In a popular series of early 2000s Visa commercials focusing on identity theft, dozens of unlikely types declared “I am Emmitt Smith.”
• It’s the given name of Elle Woods’ principled and thoughtful boyfriend in the Legally Blonde movies.
• One of Edward Cullen’s vampire brothers answers to Emmett in the Twilight series. The vamp is the physically strongest of the Cullen clan, and the actor who played him – Kellan Lutz – went on to appear on screen as Hercules.
• There’s an Emmett in 2016 sci fi thrilled 10 Cloverfield Lane. 

HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME EMMETT?

After years of sparing use, the baby name Emmett has followed other similar names into the spotlight. Along with Elliott, Elliot, Beckett, Bennett, and Everett, it’s among the most popular of the -t ending choices for boys today. 

Also worth noting: girl’s names with Em are still powerfully popular. Emma, Emily, Emilia, and Emery are all current Top 100 favorites, along with rising Emmy names like Ember, Emerson, and Emberly.

As of 2024, Emmett ranks #119 in the United States. Emmet does not rank in the current Top 1000. 

MAINSTREAM FAVORITE

With so many kids answering to an Em- name or an ends-with-T favorite, the baby name Emmett is very much part of a trend.

It feels capable and maybe homespun, too. It’s the perfect name for someone who can light a campfire and change a tire. A reliable, go-to choice for a son born today.

What do you think of the baby name Emmett? 

This post was originally published on June 25, 2008. It was substantially revised and re-posted on Monday, April 26, 2016 and again on November 3, 2025.