Elka
A girl's name of Hebrew origin with 715 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
diminutive of Elżbieta
Elka is a girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, a Yiddish diminutive of Elke, from the Hebrew Elisheba (Elizabeth) or from the Germanic Adelheid (Adelaide), meaning 'my God is an oath' or 'of noble kind' — a warm Ashkenazic diminutive used in Yiddish-speaking Jewish communities.
With over 715 recorded births, Elka is used in Ashkenazic Jewish communities, particularly Hasidic and Yiddish-speaking traditions. The -ka diminutive suffix gives it the warm, intimate quality of a name used within family circles. It carries the heritage of the Ashkenazic Jewish naming tradition that softened and personalized the Hebrew and Germanic names of the broader European world into something distinctly, warmly Jewish.
EtymologyShow more
Elka is cataloged under the Hebrew naming tradition. Hebrew names often carry theological significance — many embed references to God, virtues, or blessings within their structure.
In the U.S., Elka has been recorded as a girl's name since 1943, with 715 total births. Browse the Hebrew names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Elka climbed 2753 spots in the last 20 years — from #9443 to #6690.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 79 | #7152 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 161 | #7786 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 127 | #8921 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 80 | #8657 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 60 | #7639 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 121 | #5336 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 74 | #4628 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 8 | #4231 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 5 | #4872 | — |
The Story of Elka
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2015, Elka is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Elka are most likely born between 2005 and 2024.
How rare is Elka?
Only about 1 in every 211,765 babies born in 2024 was named Elka — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1943, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2010s with 161 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Elka by the numbers
- Would fill 15 school buses
- Meeting one Elka per day would take 2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(59 years, 1943–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 17 | #6690 |
| 2023 | 15 | #7354 |
| 2022 | 13 | #8162 |
| 2021 | 19 | #6241 |
| 2020 | 15 | #7313 |
| 2019 | 13 | #8253 |
| 2018 | 18 | #6601 |
| 2017 | 20 | #6112 |
| 2016 | 21 | #6032 |
| 2015 | 21 | #6092 |
| 2014 | 19 | #6521 |
| 2013 | 11 | #9780 |
| 2012 | 9 | #11550 |
| 2011 | 11 | #9921 |
| 2010 | 18 | #7001 |
| 2009 | 13 | #9048 |
| 2008 | 14 | #8659 |
| 2007 | 14 | #8664 |
| 2006 | 18 | #6944 |
| 2005 | 9 | #11171 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elka a boy's or girl's name?
When was Elka most popular?
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Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1943–2024