NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Emyr

A Welsh masculine name meaning "prince, lord" or "boy shepherd".

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.

Emyr is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Emyr popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2088, with 11 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 17 births.

This profile covers 228 England and Wales registrations across 29 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 65% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 226 living people in the UK are called Emyr. 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

  • Emyr ranked #2088 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 11 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1998, when 17 boys were registered as Emyr.
  • About 226 living people in the UK are estimated to have Emyr as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2088

2024

Births in 2024

11

Latest year

Peak year

1998

17 births

Estimated living

226

2026

Meaning

What does Emyr mean?

The given name Emyr has its origins in the Welsh language and culture. It is derived from the Old Welsh word "ymyr", which means "prince" or "leader". This name was particularly popular among the Welsh nobility and ruling class during the medieval period.

Emyr was a common name among the Welsh princes and kings who ruled over various regions of Wales throughout history. One of the earliest recorded instances of this name can be found in the Welsh Triads, a collection of traditional stories and tales from the Middle Ages. In these texts, Emyr is mentioned as one of the legendary warriors and heroes of ancient Wales.

During the 12th century, Emyr ap Dafydd was a prominent Welsh prince who ruled over the kingdom of Senghenydd in South Wales. He was known for his military prowess and his efforts to defend Welsh independence against the Norman invaders.

In the 13th century, Emyr Llydaw was a renowned Welsh poet and scholar who wrote extensively about the history and culture of Wales. His works are considered important sources of information about the Welsh language and literature of that period.

Another notable figure in Welsh history who bore the name Emyr was Emyr ap Maredudd, a 14th-century Welsh nobleman who played a significant role in the Revolt of Owain Glyndŵr against the English crown.

In more recent times, Emyr Humphreys (1919-2020) was a celebrated Welsh novelist, poet, and academic. He was widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern Welsh literature and was awarded numerous honors and accolades for his contributions to the cultural heritage of Wales.

While the name Emyr is firmly rooted in Welsh culture and history, it has also been adopted by people of various backgrounds and nationalities over the years. However, its origins and deep-rooted connections to the rich traditions and legacy of Wales remain a significant part of its meaning and symbolism.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Emyr over time

The chart below shows babies named Emyr 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 Emyr, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 11 births in 2024, compared with 17 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Emyr
0491317199620102024

Decades

Emyr by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Emyr 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 #2606 46 5
2010s #2910 69 10
2000s #2431 67 10
1990s #1300 46 4

Notable bearers

Famous people named Emyr

  • Emyr Evans

    squash player

    Welsh squash player

    1996-

  • Emyr Lewis

    salesperson; sports commentator; rugby union player

    Welsh rugby union player

    1968-

  • Emyr Glyn Williams

    writer; filmmaker; record label operator

    Welsh record label manager, author and filmmaker

    1966-2024

  • Emyr Davies

    television producer; television presenter

    Welsh television presenter and producer

    1959-

  • Emyr Lewis

    poet; professor; jurist

    solicitor, academic and poet

    1957-

  • Emyr Wyn

    actor; singer

    Welsh actor and singer

    1952-

  • Emyr Young

    photographer; teacher; voice actor

    Welsh photographer and former actor

    1952-

  • Emyr Huws Jones

    composer; musician; film director

    Welsh song composer and musician

    1950-

Related

Names similar to Emyr

FAQ

Emyr: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Emyr was ranked #2088 for boys in England and Wales, with 11 births registered.

When was Emyr most popular?

The peak year on record was 1998, with 17 babies registered as Emyr in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Emyr?

A Welsh masculine name meaning "prince, lord" or "boy shepherd".

How many people are called Emyr in the UK?

A total of 228 babies have been registered as Emyr across the 29 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.