Elin
Primarily a girl's name of Scandinavian origin with 4,999 recorded births. Also given to 152 boys.
Meaning & Origin
a female given name
Elin is a girl's and boy's baby name of Scandinavian origin, the Swedish and Welsh form of Helen, meaning 'torch' or 'shining.' Elin is elegantly minimal — four letters that carry the luminous meaning of Helen in a form that feels sleek and thoroughly modern. Swedish tennis star Elin Nordegren brought this name international attention.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Elin belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their smooth, flowing ending — a popular compound ending in American feminine naming. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Within the Scandinavian naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Scandinavian names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Elin’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Elin climbed 1173 spots in the last 20 years — from #3702 to #2529.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 500 | #2048 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 3,032 | #924 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 369 | #4759 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 143 | #6678 | — |
| 1980s | 145 | #5388 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 111 | #5006 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 109 | #4472 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 138 | #3186 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 164 | #2346 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 77 | #3251 | — |
| 1920s | 85 | #3601 | — |
| 1910s | 87 | #2722 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 25 | #1838 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 14 | #1294 | — |
The Story of Elin
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2011, Elin is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Elin are most likely born between 2001 and 2021.
How rare is Elin?
Only about 1 in every 51,429 babies born in 2024 was named Elin — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1893, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 3,032 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Elin by the numbers
- Would fill 104 school buses
- Meeting one Elin per day would take 13.7 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(119 years, 1893–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 70 | #2529 |
| 2023 | 74 | #2424 |
| 2022 | 90 | #2126 |
| 2021 | 133 | #1578 |
| 2020 | 133 | #1581 |
| 2019 | 177 | #1295 |
| 2018 | 201 | #1190 |
| 2017 | 227 | #1111 |
| 2016 | 267 | #991 |
| 2015 | 297 | #923 |
| 2014 | 384 | #732 |
| 2013 | 329 | #817 |
| 2012 | 336 | #796 |
| 2011 | 428 | #662 |
| 2010 | 386 | #726 |
| 2009 | 61 | #2860 |
| 2008 | 65 | #2778 |
| 2007 | 58 | #3027 |
| 2006 | 45 | #3523 |
| 2005 | 39 | #3756 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Elin as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Elin has also been given to 152 boys in the U.S. since 1992.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elin a boy's or girl's name?
When was Elin most popular?
How popular is the name Elin?
Can Elin be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1893–2024