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.
I LOVE Emmett! It’s such a sweet name, but I agree with Natalie that Emmett’s bound to be popular quite soon because of “Emmett Cullen” in the popular “Twilight” series. Twilght is all my daughter ever talks about. (She’s 14). I’m pretty sure when she has kids, names like Emmett, Jasper, Alice, Rosalie and all the other “Cullen” names are going to turn up on her baby list.
Speaking of Cullen, what about Cullen for a NotD?
Hooray! Another Emmett Otter fan here! I was born in 1977 yet I have vivid memories of this Christmas special.
***pops open another tab on Amazon to search for Emmett Otter’s Jugband Christmas on DVD***
As for the name . . . I guess I should like it because it’s awfully close to Everett but for some reason I find it a bit effeminate. Maybe I’m assuming any Emmett would get “Em” occasionally and I’ve known too many Emilys and Emmas to swallow Em on a boy. I’m not a sports fan (or ballroom dancing), so Emmitt Smith really isn’t a strong association for me.
Katharine, my husband was almost Elliot! He ended up Arthur instead. It suits him – I can’t imagine him as a Jason or Michael.
And I don’t have a great place to put a “suggest future NotD” at the moment, so really any comment will do. I should get a button that says “Suggest a NotD,” though … adding it to my list of technological issues to work through. 😕
Another, I’ll plan on a post called “Getting to Luke.” I’ve been meaning to do more in that series, anyhow, on how we can arrive at popular short forms. It’s not that Luke and company are too dull – on the contrary, I find the name quite dashing. But common names with lots of references throughout history and pop culture make the name posts nearly novel-length. And I tend to go on and on (and sometimes on) as is! So in the interest of saving myself editing headaches, I’ve decided to stick to the seldom heard. And, of course, it is *slightly* more interesting to discuss Ermintrude and Hector than Sara and Michael. 🙂
Apologies, I had no idea that my post on future notd posted to this section – it certainly looks a bit random smack bang in the middle of a discussion about the name Emmett! it’ll be great to hear a bit about those names though… actually, I’ve heard of a couple of Loveday’s through work/friends etc and believe it to be an ancient Cornish name so I’m curious to see what you turn up!
Re. Emmett: To me, the similarity to Emma/Emily renders Emmett too feminine for a boy, I have a similar problem with Elliot because the predominance of of Ellie/Ella/Eleanor.
Luke Wilson played Emmett, hm…what about doing the name Luke? To me it’s old fashioned, but Lucas and Lukas are current trends. What about good old Luke? Interesting enough for a NotD?
Emmett is an interesting one. Although i don’t personally like it i can see it’s appeal and also i can see it rising in popularity soon, due to the character “Emmett Cullen” in the best selling “Twilight” series which is now a teenage fave read. I think the “Emmett” boom will arrive in a few years when these teens begin to have kids.
Lola my dear, I’m a mere six years your junior and consider myself very, very young indeed! I watched Emmet Otter live on TV, too – and the original Muppet Show!
And I agree – Mitt is dead in the water as a nickname for the foreseeable future.
Katharine, I’ve penciled in Ira for July 17, Gilbert for July 19 and Millicent for July 20. Assumpta scares me with those first three letters, but we’ll put her on July 22 – though I might chicken out and choose Asuncion! As for Loveday, I’m not sure I’ll turn up enough for a post, but I’ll give it my best shot on July 24.
Another, I love Harris! I’m stealing him for my NotD on July 21.
Can I suggest a few more names for notd?? ….Loveday, Millicent, Ira, Gilbert and Assumpta, what do you reckon?!!
I remember Emmett Otter! I was 10 in 1977. (yes, I am old) And Emmett Smith is familiar enough to render Emmett completely masculine despite it’s similarity to the Em’s (Emily & Emma). Between the similarity to Emily/Emma and the surnamey feel of Emmett, it would be firmly middle name territory for me, if I liked it enough to consider it in the first place. I’m a nicknamer by nature and Emmett leaves me with nothing decent. Em’s gone to the girls, again, thanks to Emily & Emma and there’s maybe Mett/Mitt, which just makes me think of my former Governor, Mitt Romney. Eww. What else is there?
But, like Everett, he’s got a snazzy sound and a snappy feel. He’s just not for me. From your list of names of similar popularity, I’d be more inclined to grab onto Malcolm or Ronan. It must be my style.. I prefer slick and smooth to open & fresh when it comes to boy names. *shrug* I never said I wasn’t odd. 😛
I always think of Emmett “Doc” Brown of Back to the Future fame. This is where I first heard the name. And he was supposed to be an old guy – it is an exceedingly old fashioned name to my ears…and I never fail to hear Mary Steenburgen’s southern accent murdering it every time I read the name. (She was in BttF 3.) I’ll place this one above Everett, but probably below Harris on my list. For when I have another baby. Later. Not now. 🙂