Elbin
A boy's name of Latin origin with 58 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Elbin sits in the historical zone of American naming: first recorded in 1956, peaking in 1956, with 58 total births across its history.
The sharp, distinct quality of its ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close — keeps the name compact and easy to pair with longer middle names or surnames.
Elbin is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Elbin is a boy's baby name, a variant of Elvin or Albin, from Latin Albinus meaning 'white, fair.' It may also draw from Old English Ælfwine, meaning 'elf friend.' Elvin was popular in mid-20th century America, carried by jazz pianist Elvin Jones.
Soft and vintage, Elbin has a quiet dignity — a name from an era that valued understated grace.
EtymologyShow more
Though Elbin dates back to 1956 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The Latin classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
With only 58 recorded births, Elbin has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Elbin has 10+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1956.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 10 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 12 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 17 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 11 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 8 | — |
The Story of Elbin
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1956, Elbin is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Boys named Elbin are most likely born between 1956 and 1966.
How rare is Elbin?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Elbin is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1956, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1990s with 17 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Elbin by the numbers
- Would fill 1 school bus
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(10 years, 1956–2019)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5 | #12697 |
| 2010 | 5 | #12818 |
| 2006 | 6 | #11051 |
| 2005 | 6 | #10475 |
| 1999 | 7 | #8116 |
| 1997 | 5 | #9707 |
| 1992 | 5 | #8823 |
| 1968 | 6 | #3830 |
| 1960 | 5 | #4192 |
| 1956 | 8 | #3036 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elbin a boy's or girl's name?
When was Elbin most popular?
How popular is the name Elbin?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1956–2019