What Does the Name Emrys Mean?
Emrys is the Welsh form of Ambrose, which traces back through the Latin Ambrosius to the Greek Ambrosios, meaning 'immortal' or 'divine.'
The Origin & History of Emrys
Emrys carries deep roots in Welsh legend: the wizard Merlin is known in Welsh tradition as 'Myrddin Emrys,' linking the name to themes of prophecy, wisdom, and the supernatural that run through Arthurian myth.
The Popularity Story
Emrys is rising quickly in the US: the SSA recorded 184 boys and 41 girls named Emrys in 2024, up sharply from 107 total the year before — one of the faster-climbing Welsh names currently in use.
Personality & Associations
With a meaning rooted in immortality and divinity, and a direct link to Merlin, Emrys carries a mystical, old-soul quality — a name that feels both ancient and distinctive.
Famous People Named Emrys
Emrys ap Iwan (1848–1906), born Robert Ambrose Jones, was a Welsh literary critic and essayist regarded as one of the most important early advocates of modern Welsh nationalism, writing under his Welsh bardic name.
Nicknames & Variations
Ambrose and the Latin Ambrosius are the name's direct English relatives, sharing the same 'immortal' root.