Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

107 Shares
107 Shares
ThuJul 18

National Emma Day – July 18, 2024

National Emma Day is celebrated on July 18 every year. The name Emma means ‘whole’ and has German roots. This day is a dedication to all Emmas across the nation and a chance to celebrate them. Emma is a common first name for females. It can also be a nickname for longer names like Emily or Emerson.

History of National Emma Day

Emma is an English name derived from a German word that means ‘whole’ or ‘universal.’ It’s the perfect match for the newborn set to be their parents’ whole world!

Emma of Normandy, who married English monarchs Aethelred II and Cnut the Great, is credited for the name’s early popularity in England. Jane Austen, a well-known English author who used the name Emma Woodhouse in her 1816 novel “Emma,” further promoted the name’s popularity. In the last 10 years, it’s become one of the most popular baby girl names in the United States, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and many other countries. During the 1960s, it gained immense popularity in the United Kingdom. Emma has various forms, the most common of which are: Emmalyn (English), Ema (Spanish), Ima (Dutch), Ima (German), and Irma (German).

Emma became increasingly popular when Ross and Rachel from the famous T.V. show “Friends” named their daughter Emma. Being one of the highest watched shows of all time, this helped the name climb popular name charts higher than ever. There are notable Emmas across different industries who are inspirational in many ways. They also inspire parents to name their daughters ‘Emma’ in the hopes of having them acquire the greatness that comes with the name.

This wholesome and delicate name has been popular for centuries and still holds a special place in the nation. National Emma Day is a celebration for many.

National Emma Day timeline

1880 —1940
Top 100

Emma consistently remains on the Top 100 names list in the U.S.

2003
Top Two

Emma is the second most popular name in the U.S.

2014 — 2018
Top One

Emma secures the number one spot as the most popular name.

2019
Olivia Takeover

Olivia claims the number one spot and sends Emma back to number two.

National Emma Day FAQs

How many Emmas are in the U.S.?

In 2020, there were approximately 15,000 baby girls named Emma.

Is Emma just for girls?

While commonly used for girls, some modern-day baby boys are also named Emma.

Is there a place called Emma?

There is an unincorporated community called Emma in Kentucky, U.S.

National Emma Day Activities

  1. Celebrate an Emma

    Wish, appreciate, and celebrate any Emmas in your life. Let them know that this is their day.

  2. Read “Emma”

    Read Jane Austin’s famous novel, “Emma,” to truly celebrate National Emma Day. You can look for other books with a character named Emma.

  3. Watch a movie with a character named “Emma”

    Watch the movie remake of the novel “Emma” or watch your favorite Emma character. Turn to entertainment to celebrate this special day.

5 Incredible Emmas You Might Not Know

  1. Emma Thompson

    She is a British actress known for her role in American films such as “Love Actually.”

  2. Emma Stone

    She is an American actress who won an Academy Award for her performance in “La La Land.”

  3. Emma Roberts

    She is an American actress and a relative of the iconic Julia Roberts.

  4. Emma Chamberlain

    She is a Youtube sensation and an ambassador for Louis Vuitton.

  5. Emma Watson

    She is a British actress that’s popular for her role as Hermoine in the “Harry Potter” franchise.

Why We Love National Emma Day

  1. It has a wholesome meaning

    The name means ‘whole,’ which is beautiful for a baby. Celebrate this wholesome day with an Emma.

  2. There are fun nicknames

    You can’t tell us that a baby named Emma, lovingly called Emmy, isn't the cutest thing ever. See what other nicknames you can make up for someone named Emma.

  3. It has versatile extensions

    Emma can also be the suffix for longer names like Emmett. Spend an afternoon researching other names derived from this.

National Emma Day dates

YearDateDay
2024July 18Thursday
2025July 18Friday
2026July 18Saturday
2027July 18Sunday
2028July 18Tuesday

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.