Gender: Masculine
Origin: German
Meaning: “industrious ruler or universal ruler.”
(EH-meh-RIKH)
This ancient Germanic name is composed of the elements ermen or amal (its debated) and ric which means ruler and is a common component in many ancient Germanic names. If the first element is from ermen then it would mean “whole; universal” + ric. If it is derived from amal then it would mean “labour; work; industry” + ric. In Germany, its designated name-day is September 2nd. The names Amerigo and America are distant relatives and cognates include the Hungarian Imre, the Swedish/Norwegian Emerik and the French Émeric.
Update: As of 2009, Émeric was the 476th most popular male name in France. While its Hungarian form of Imre was the 70th most popular male name in Hungary.
Other forms of the name include:
- Imrich (Czech/Slovak)
- Emmerik (Dutch)
- Emerico (Italian/Spanish)
- Emeryk (Polish)
- Américo (Portuguese)
- Emeric (Romanian)
- Emérico (Spanish)
America shares the same etymology.
It’s amazing that Emmerich hasn’t gained more popularity with the way Em names have exploded in the last few years.
I think just not enough people know about it (in the U.S.) but I have a feeling that if a bunch of parents saw this name, they would start using it.
Emrik is rapidly gaining in popularity in Norway, went from being practically unknown to 23 born last year!
The similar Embrik is also rising… ^^