Elim
Primarily a boy's name with 316 recorded births. Also given to 200 girls.
Meaning & Origin
An oasis in Sinai, New Kingdom, Egyptian Empire; Hebrew אֵילִם
Elim is a boy's and girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, from the Old Testament place name meaning 'oaks' or 'large trees,' referring to the oasis where the Israelites camped after crossing the Red Sea. In Exodus, Elim is described as a place of twelve springs and seventy palm trees — an image of rest, abundance, and refreshment after hardship.
As biblical place names gain popularity alongside character names, Elim stands out for its rare, clean sound and layered meaning. It carries the resonance of a spiritual journey's resting point — a name that implies both strength and peace, rootedness and relief.
EtymologyShow more
Elim first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 2000. First appearing in the 2000s, Elim emerged during a period of rapid naming innovation in America, when parents increasingly created new names or adopted them from global cultures.
Without a confirmed origin classification, Elim may have arrived through family tradition, creative coinage, or cultural channels not yet documented in standard naming references.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Elim climbed 3505 spots in the last 20 years — from #7719 to #4214.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 103 | #4869 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 162 | #5762 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 51 | #10680 | — |
The Story of Elim
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2024, Elim is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Elim are most likely born between 2014 and 2024.
How rare is Elim?
Only about 1 in every 144,000 babies born in 2024 was named Elim — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2000, peaked in the 2010s with 162 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Elim by the numbers
- Would fill 7 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(23 years, 2000–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25 | #4214 |
| 2023 | 15 | #6010 |
| 2022 | 18 | #5266 |
| 2021 | 21 | #4677 |
| 2020 | 24 | #4177 |
| 2019 | 14 | #6183 |
| 2018 | 18 | #5157 |
| 2017 | 16 | #5603 |
| 2016 | 24 | #4231 |
| 2015 | 21 | #4589 |
| 2014 | 17 | #5310 |
| 2013 | 11 | #7176 |
| 2012 | 19 | #4906 |
| 2011 | 12 | #6712 |
| 2010 | 10 | #7751 |
| 2009 | 5 | #13032 |
| 2008 | 10 | #7861 |
| 2007 | 5 | #12901 |
| 2006 | 5 | #12591 |
| 2005 | 6 | #10480 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Elim as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Elim has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 200 births since 1997.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elim a boy's or girl's name?
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Can Elim be used for both boys and girls?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2000–2024