What does Emrys mean?
Emrys is the Welsh form of Ambrose, from the Greek for “immortal.”
What does Gwilym mean?
Gwilym is the Welsh form of William, “resolute protector.”
Emrys vs Gwilym
Which is more popular?
Emrys is more popular than Gwilym today: about 157 US babies were given the name Emrys in 2025, compared with 0 named Gwilym.
| Emrys | Gwilym | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Immortal | Resolute protector |
| Origin | Welsh | Welsh |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | EM-ris | GWIL-im |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1997 | 2005 |
| Peak year | 2024 (185) | 2005 (5) |
| In 2025 | 157 | 0 |
| Trend | Rising | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Emrys
Gwilym
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Emrys | Gwilym |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 741 | 0 |
| 2010s | 542 | 0 |
| 2000s | 22 | 5 |
| 1990s | 5 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Emrys or Gwilym more popular?
Emrys is more popular than Gwilym today: about 157 US babies were given the name Emrys in 2025, compared with 0 named Gwilym.
What is the difference between Emrys and Gwilym?
Emrys means Immortal (Welsh origin), while Gwilym means Resolute protector (Welsh origin).
Which name is older, Emrys or Gwilym?
In US records, Emrys first appears in 1997 and Gwilym in 2005, so Emrys has the longer recorded history.