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
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
- Ethan 77,394
- Edward 53,212
- Elliot 23,450
- Elijah 22,369
- Ellis 19,358
- Elliott 16,964
- Evan 14,535
- Ezra 11,838
- Ewan 10,685
- Eli 8,126
- Elias 7,049
- Eric 6,654
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.