Emil Tischbein is the main character of Erich Kästner's famous novel "Emil und die Detektive" (1929), which I think has been translated into English as "Emil and the Detectives". Anyway, here in Germany it has been a staple of children's literature ever since, and it instantly springs to just about everybody's mind when we hear the name Emil somewhere.
JOHN EMIL LIST murdered his mother, in addition to his wife, daughter and both sons on the same day in 1971. He left a written confession and disappeared to another state and took up a new life under a new name. He was finally caught 20 years later living a "normal" life with a second wife and a good job. He was sentenced to life in prison not eligible for parole until he was over 100 years old.
― Anonymous User 9/14/2018
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Not sure if this counts, but Emil Nekola (fictional character) from Yuri! On Ice is fairly popular. Maybe even 'Emil Steilsson' (unofficial name) from Hetalia (he's the personification of Iceland).
― Anonymous User 6/21/2017
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Emil Sinclair is the narrator of Hermann Hesse's breakthrough novel Demian (1919). Another famous bearer is Emil Sitka (22 December 1914-16 January 1998), a longtime, popular supporting actor in the Three Stooges' films.
Emil Zátopek, Czech long-distance runner best known for his "hat trick" at the 1952 Helsinki Olympic games. Winning the gold medal and setting Olympic records in the 5,000m, 10,000m and the Marathon—a race he had never run before.