Eleven
Primarily a girl's name of Old English origin with 69 recorded births. Also given to 36 boys.
Meaning & Origin
Alternative letter-case form of eleven of the ICAO/NATO radiotelephony alphabet.
Eleven is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, the number word derived from Old English endleofan, meaning 'one left' (one remaining after counting to ten). Powered into pop culture consciousness by Netflix's Stranger Things, where Eleven is a telekinetic child with a heartbreaking backstory — a name that carries mystery, resilience, and an undeniable cool.
EtymologyShow more
Eleven is built from 6 letters and three syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Old English naming tradition, this length is typical of names that preserve their full historical form, carrying their etymology on the surface.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Eleven creates its characteristic clean, contemporary quality. Multi-syllable names often carry remnants of compound constructions — two or more meaningful elements fused together — even when the original components are no longer transparent to modern speakers.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Eleven has 8+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2017.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 47 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 22 | — |
The Story of Eleven
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2021, Eleven is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Eleven are most likely born between 2017 and 2024.
How rare is Eleven?
Only about 1 in every 360,000 babies born in 2024 was named Eleven — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2017, peaked in the 2020s with 47 births that decade.
Eleven by the numbers
- Would fill 1 school bus
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(8 years, 2017–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 | #9714 |
| 2023 | 10 | #9795 |
| 2022 | 6 | #14061 |
| 2021 | 12 | #8610 |
| 2020 | 9 | #10495 |
| 2019 | 7 | #12829 |
| 2018 | 8 | #11708 |
| 2017 | 7 | #13105 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Eleven as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Eleven has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 36 births since 2019.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eleven a boy's or girl's name?
When was Eleven most popular?
How popular is the name Eleven?
Can Eleven be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2017–2024