Elwood
Primarily a boy's name of Old English origin with 20,702 recorded births. Also given to 53 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname transferred from the given name.
Elwood is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, from a place name meaning 'elder tree wood.' It was a staple of American naming through the early-to-mid 20th century, carried by over 20,000 recorded births in the U.S.
Elwood has a warm, earthy vintage quality — and fans of The Blues Brothers will recognize it as the first name of Jake's brother, played by Dan Aykroyd.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Elwood is a boy's name with over a century of recorded use (1880–2024). Its Old English roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Today, Elwood is an active part of the American naming landscape (ranked #2134), continuing to accumulate its own cultural meaning with each new child who carries it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Elwood climbed 4111 spots in the last 20 years — from #6245 to #2134.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 245 | #2705 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 339 | #3580 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 115 | #6820 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 146 | #4501 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 233 | #2443 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 421 | #1401 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 879 | #814 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 1,642 | #576 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 2,593 | #389 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 3,553 | #291 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 5,494 | #236 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 3,908 | #217 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 504 | #288 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 356 | #302 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 274 | #327 | — |
The Story of Elwood
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1921, Elwood is a name steeped in history. Boys named Elwood are most likely born between 1911 and 1931.
How rare is Elwood?
Only about 1 in every 52,174 babies born in 2024 was named Elwood — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 5,494 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Elwood by the numbers
- More Elwoods than the population of a small U.S. town
- Would fill 431 school buses
- Meeting one Elwood per day would take 56.7 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 69 | #2134 |
| 2023 | 41 | #3016 |
| 2022 | 43 | #2929 |
| 2021 | 50 | #2593 |
| 2020 | 42 | #2855 |
| 2019 | 33 | #3438 |
| 2018 | 39 | #3009 |
| 2017 | 43 | #2811 |
| 2016 | 51 | #2485 |
| 2015 | 52 | #2439 |
| 2014 | 36 | #3107 |
| 2013 | 29 | #3603 |
| 2012 | 20 | #4745 |
| 2011 | 17 | #5271 |
| 2010 | 19 | #4893 |
| 2009 | 15 | #5888 |
| 2008 | 13 | #6511 |
| 2007 | 13 | #6367 |
| 2006 | 11 | #7066 |
| 2005 | 11 | #6768 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Elwood as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Elwood has also been given to 53 girls in the U.S. since 1921.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elwood a boy's or girl's name?
When was Elwood most popular?
How popular is the name Elwood?
Can Elwood be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2024