Elwin
Primarily a boy's name of Old English origin with 5,156 recorded births. Also given to 5 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Elwin is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, from the Anglo-Saxon Ælfwine, meaning 'elf friend' — combining ælf (elf) and wine (friend). In Anglo-Saxon culture, elves were powerful, otherworldly beings, so being their friend implied special wisdom and closeness to the supernatural world.
Elwin is a gentle giant of Old English names — ancient, quietly unusual, with the same elvish roots that Tolkien drew on when creating his Middle-earth mythology.
EtymologyShow more
Elwin is cataloged under the Old English naming tradition. Names from the Old English tradition carry linguistic and cultural patterns that shape their sound, structure, and associations.
In the U.S., Elwin has been recorded as a boy's name since 1882, with 5,156 total births. Browse the Old English names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Elwin was #5327 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #6539, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 68 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 108 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 123 | — |
| 1990s | 128 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 113 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 127 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 224 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 483 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 603 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 820 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 1,316 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 830 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 107 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 65 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 41 | — |
The Story of Elwin
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1923, Elwin is a name steeped in history. Boys named Elwin are most likely born between 1913 and 1933.
How rare is Elwin?
Only about 1 in every 276,923 babies born in 2024 was named Elwin — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1882, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 1,316 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Elwin by the numbers
- Would fill 107 school buses
- Meeting one Elwin per day would take 14.1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(138 years, 1882–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 | #6539 |
| 2023 | 12 | #7014 |
| 2022 | 18 | #5267 |
| 2021 | 11 | #7238 |
| 2020 | 14 | #6058 |
| 2019 | 16 | #5637 |
| 2018 | 15 | #5850 |
| 2017 | 6 | #11164 |
| 2016 | 14 | #6133 |
| 2014 | 10 | #7716 |
| 2013 | 9 | #8309 |
| 2012 | 14 | #6089 |
| 2011 | 15 | #5750 |
| 2010 | 9 | #8331 |
| 2009 | 8 | #9233 |
| 2008 | 11 | #7349 |
| 2007 | 14 | #6007 |
| 2006 | 12 | #6587 |
| 2005 | 17 | #4889 |
| 2004 | 15 | #5327 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Elwin as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Elwin has also been given to 5 girls in the U.S. since 1926.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elwin a boy's or girl's name?
When was Elwin most popular?
How popular is the name Elwin?
Can Elwin be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1882–2024