Elwyn
Primarily a boy's name of Welsh origin with 3,218 recorded births. Also given to 100 girls.
Meaning & Origin
Elwyn is a two-syllable boy's name with a sharp, distinct sound — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. With 3,218 recorded U.S. births since 1893, it sits in a sweet spot: recognizable enough to be a real name, uncommon enough to turn heads.
In the most recent SSA release, Elwyn ranks #7890 among U.S. boy names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Elwyn is a boy's and girl's baby name of Welsh origin, from the Welsh Elwyn, possibly from el (bright, other) and gwyn (white, fair, blessed), meaning 'bright and fair' or 'other and white' — a Welsh name with a clean, luminous character.
With over 3,218 recorded births, Elwyn is used in Welsh and Welsh-American communities. E.B. White (born Elwyn Brooks White, 1899–1985), the beloved American author of Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, and the indispensable style guide The Elements of Style, is the name's most significant literary bearer — his writing shaped generations of American children and writers. A name of Welsh brightness that found its greatest expression in one of America's most beloved storytellers.
EtymologyShow more
Elwyn is cataloged under the Welsh naming tradition. Celtic names carry the echoes of ancient insular traditions, often drawing from nature, warfare, and mythology.
In the U.S., Elwyn has been recorded as a boy's name since 1893, with 3,218 total births. Browse the Welsh names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Elwyn climbed 1323 spots in the last 20 years — from #9213 to #7890.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 54 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 72 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 37 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 22 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 30 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 71 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 113 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 270 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 422 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 617 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 890 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 533 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 56 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 31 | — |
The Story of Elwyn
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1924, Elwyn is a name steeped in history. Boys named Elwyn are most likely born between 1914 and 1934.
How rare is Elwyn?
Only about 1 in every 360,000 babies born in 2024 was named Elwyn — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1893, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 890 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Elwyn by the numbers
- Would fill 67 school buses
- Meeting one Elwyn per day would take 8.8 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(105 years, 1893–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 | #7890 |
| 2023 | 23 | #4495 |
| 2022 | 7 | #10116 |
| 2021 | 14 | #6111 |
| 2019 | 13 | #6524 |
| 2018 | 13 | #6445 |
| 2017 | 14 | #6126 |
| 2016 | 13 | #6455 |
| 2015 | 6 | #11084 |
| 2011 | 6 | #11246 |
| 2010 | 7 | #9980 |
| 2009 | 10 | #7869 |
| 2005 | 8 | #8522 |
| 2004 | 7 | #9213 |
| 2001 | 6 | #9634 |
| 2000 | 6 | #9462 |
| 1994 | 5 | #9247 |
| 1993 | 7 | #7044 |
| 1991 | 5 | #8603 |
| 1990 | 5 | #8522 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Elwyn as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Elwyn has also been given to 100 girls in the U.S. since 1912.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elwyn a boy's or girl's name?
When was Elwyn most popular?
How popular is the name Elwyn?
Can Elwyn be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1893–2024