NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Emel

A Turkish feminine name meaning "hope" or "aspiration".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Emel is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Emel popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2574, with 10 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2021, with 14 births.

This profile covers 153 England and Wales registrations across 24 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 71% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 152 living people in the UK are called Emel. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Emel ranked #2574 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 10 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2021, when 14 girls were registered as Emel.
  • About 152 living people in the UK are estimated to have Emel as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2574

2024

Births in 2024

10

Latest year

Peak year

2021

14 births

Estimated living

152

2026

Meaning

What does Emel mean?

The name Emel is believed to have its origins in the Arabic language and culture. It is derived from the Arabic word "amal," which means "hope" or "aspiration." The name Emel is thought to have been in use since ancient times in the Middle East and North Africa, where Arabic was the predominant language.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Emel can be found in ancient Arabic literature and poetry. It was often used as a symbolic name, representing the hope and aspirations of the people. In some Islamic texts, the name Emel is mentioned as a virtuous and admirable quality, reflecting the importance of hope in the faith.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Emel. One of the earliest recorded figures was Emel al-Dinawari, a renowned Arab botanist and philosopher who lived in the 9th century CE. He made significant contributions to the fields of botany and natural history, and his works were widely studied and referenced.

Another prominent figure with the name Emel was Emel Esin, a Turkish archaeologist and historian who lived from 1920 to 2007. She was known for her groundbreaking research on the history and culture of Central Asia, particularly the Silk Road region. Her work shed light on the ancient civilizations and trade routes that connected East and West.

In the literary world, Emel Görmez is a noteworthy Turkish novelist and short story writer born in 1968. Her works often explore themes of identity, belonging, and the complexities of modern life. She has received numerous awards and accolades for her writing, including the Yunus Nadi Novel Award and the Cevdet Kudret Literature Award.

Emel Mathlouthi, born in 1982, is a Tunisian singer and songwriter who gained international recognition for her powerful and socially conscious music. Her songs became anthems during the Arab Spring protests, capturing the spirit of the people's aspirations for freedom and change. She has been hailed as the "Voice of the Tunisian Revolution."

Lastly, Emel Kurma is a contemporary Turkish actress and model born in 1989. She has appeared in various television series and films, showcasing her talent and versatility as a performer. Kurma has also been involved in various charitable endeavors, using her platform to raise awareness and support for causes she believes in.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Emel throughout history, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultures and societies.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Emel over time

The chart below shows babies named Emel registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Emel, the clearest high point is 2021. The latest England and Wales figure is 10 births in 2024, compared with 14 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Emel
0471114199620102024

Decades

Emel by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Emel was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #2894 44 5
2010s #3638 64 10
2000s #3558 24 5
1990s #2848 21 4

Related

Names similar to Emel

FAQ

Emel: questions and answers

How popular is the name Emel in the UK right now?

In 2024, Emel was ranked #2574 for girls in England and Wales, with 10 births registered.

When was Emel most popular?

The peak year on record was 2021, with 14 babies registered as Emel in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Emel?

A Turkish feminine name meaning "hope" or "aspiration".

How many people are called Emel in the UK?

A total of 153 babies have been registered as Emel across the 24 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.