Is Elmo a boy's or girl's name?

Elmo is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 247 recorded births.

When was Elmo most popular?

Elmo reached its peak popularity in 1920 with 397 births that year. It is not currently in the top rankings.

How popular is the name Elmo?

Elmo is not currently in the top rankings but has been given to 10,091 babies in the U.S. since 1880. Its peak was in 1920.

Elmo

An uncommon Italian pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsItalianNot ranked recently Also a pet name

Rare name

Meaning & Origin

A male given name from Italian.

Elmo is a boy's and girl's baby name of Italian origin, a short form of Erasmus or a Latinized form of the Germanic Helm, meaning 'helmet, protection.' Saint Elmo is the patron saint of sailors, and the electrical phenomenon known as St. Elmo's fire is named for him.

Today Elmo is instantly recognized as the beloved red Muppet character from Sesame Street, whose enthusiastic, childlike personality has made the name warmly familiar to generations of children. It's a name with both medieval saintly history and irresistible modern charm.

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Popularity Over Time

Elmo has 125+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1880.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Elmo
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	11	#11964	▲
2010s	5	#12694	▼
2000s	23	#9378	▼
1990s	85	#6284	▼
1980s	131	#3721	▼
1970s	202	#2252	▼
1960s	376	#1295	▼
1950s	691	#888	▼
1940s	1,022	#637	▼
1930s	1,436	#479	▼
1920s	2,891	#349	▲
1910s	2,476	#278	▲
1900s	416	#337	▲
1890s	191	#461	▲
1880s	135	#528	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(125 years, 1880–2023)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Elmo
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2023	5	#12773	-1 (-16.7%)
2021	6	#11155	+1 (20.0%)
2013	5	#12694	0
2009	5	#13040	-2 (-28.6%)
2003	7	#8945	-4 (-36.4%)
2001	11	#6148	+5 (83.3%)
1999	6	#9047	-1 (-14.3%)
1998	7	#7832	-1 (-12.5%)
1997	8	#6807	+1 (14.3%)
1996	7	#7373	-11 (-61.1%)
1994	18	#3641	+10 (125.0%)
1993	8	#6396	-1 (-11.1%)
1992	9	#5781	-3 (-25.0%)
1991	12	#4567	+2 (20.0%)
1990	10	#5110	+4 (66.7%)
1989	6	#7260	-8 (-57.1%)
1988	14	#3583	0
1987	14	#3391	0
1986	14	#3310	+2 (16.7%)
1985	12	#3658	-3 (-20.0%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Elmo as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Elmo has also been given to 247 girls in the U.S. since 1906.

Unranked

Current rank

247

Total births

1916

Peak year

Compare Elmo as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Elmo be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Elmo is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it is not currently ranked. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Elmo has two lives

Elmo, the baby name

Rareboys

10,091 babies

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Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2023) · Methodology