Boy · 225th of 7,545
Elwood
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
20,755
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1921
Peak Popularity Year
625
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Elwood stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Elwood is of Old English origin, meaning 'elf wood'. It evolved from Ælfwudu to Elwud and finally to Elwood in modern English. The name carries traits of friendliness and approachability and has no biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the 19th century and is recognized today through various cultural references.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɛl.wʊd/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Elwood is derived from the Old English elements 'ælf' meaning 'elf' and 'wudu' meaning 'wood', thus translating to 'elf wood'.
Meaning
Elf wood
Language Evolution
Ælfwudu (Old English), Elwud (Middle English), Elwood (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Elwood gained popularity in the 19th century as a given name, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Variants & Derivatives
El, Woody, Elwynn
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Elwood is perceived as a traditional and somewhat vintage name, often associated with friendly and approachable characteristics.
Famous People
Elwood Blues (fictional character from 'The Blues Brothers'), Elwood P. Dowd (fictional character from 'Harvey')
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 625 peak births in 1921
Geographic Spread
Popular across 44 US states, with strongest presence in Delaware
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 9 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 225th of 7545 | 8,971 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 308th of 6773 | 6,076 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 589th of 7552 | 3,123 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1168th of 10718 | 807 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3050th of 16616 | 300 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 5711th of 24088 | 216 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2800th of 23106 | 528 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 5980th of 9107 | 30 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 6507th of 9204 | 23 |