Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Communication Breakdown
Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Airspace Structure; Chart Or Publication
During climb portion of flight we were given direct EMMLY at approximately 14;000 feet. We both went direct EMILY in the FMS. Just before roll out ATC calls and said what is your heading. Upon that call FO (First Officer) gave heading and I pulled up the release. ATC then gave us correct heading toward EMMLY and we entered EMMLY into the FMS and not EMILY and continued to ZZZ. ATC was quick to see the heading change so no major deviation occurred. [Identified by] ATC initially then crew. [Caused by] inadequate spelling cross check by myself of the route entered into FMS by FO. When we read through the route EMILY was read when spelling was EMMLY. [We] corrected the waypoint spelling and proceeded on course. Waypoints should not be so closely spelled to eliminate possibility of mistakes. Always triple check spelling when route not entered by yourself.
Regional Jet Captain reported similar sounding fixes EMMLY instead of EMILY; resulted in a turn off course.