Elbertha
A girl's name of Germanic origin with 17 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Elbertha is a three-syllable girl's name with a open, warm sound — a soft ending that crosses many language boundaries. With only 17 recorded U.S. births, it is exceptionally rare — the kind of name most people encounter for the first time when they meet your child.
Elbertha is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Elbertha is an elaborate feminine form of Albert, from the Old High German Adalbert, composed of adal (noble) and beraht (bright, shining), meaning nobly bright. Feminine forms like Alberta, Albertine, and Elbertha were created in the 19th century following the naming vogue inspired by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert.
Elbertha has a grandly old-fashioned quality — a name from the Victorian era that carried the aspirational values of nobility and brilliance. For parents who love antique names with a forgotten grandeur, Elbertha is a remarkable relic that would be genuinely one-of-a-kind today.
EtymologyShow more
Elbertha is cataloged under the Germanic naming tradition. Germanic names have ancient roots in compound constructions — typically pairing elements meaning things like 'strength,' 'counsel,' 'fame,' or 'protection.'
In the U.S., Elbertha has been recorded as a girl's name since 1913, with 17 total births. Browse the Germanic names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Elbertha has 3+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1913.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 12 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 5 | — |
The Story of Elbertha
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1920, Elbertha is a name steeped in history. Girls named Elbertha are most likely born between 1913 and 1921.
How rare is Elbertha?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Elbertha is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1913, peaked in the 1920s with 12 births that decade.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(3 years, 1913–1921)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1921 | 6 | #4631 |
| 1920 | 6 | #4539 |
| 1913 | 5 | #3324 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1913–1921