Declining since 2016, #2,207 for boys today.
Popularity of Elam since 1880
Babies named Elam per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 28 |
| 1890s | 20 |
| 1900s | 15 |
| 1910s | 111 |
| 1920s | 154 |
| 1930s | 84 |
| 1940s | 110 |
| 1950s | 101 |
| 1960s | 87 |
| 1970s | 128 |
| 1980s | 157 |
| 1990s | 209 |
| 2000s | 354 |
| 2010s | 930 |
| 2020s | 452 |
Meaning & origin
Elam is a rare biblical name with ancient roots. In 2025, it ranked 2207th in the U.S., given to approximately 1 in 26,689 boys. Its popularity peaked in 2015, but since 2016 it has been gradually falling, reflecting a slight decline in use for this uncommon choice. The name carries historical weight from the Old Testament and the ancient Elamite civilization, but remains off the beaten path. It appears most frequently in Pennsylvania among U.S. states, suggesting regional appeal rather than broad national usage. For parents seeking a distinctive and traditional biblical name without contemporary trendiness, Elam offers a rare but grounded option.
Elam is a biblical name of uncertain derivation. It appears in the Old Testament as the name of a son of Shem and also as a place name for an ancient kingdom in what is now southwestern Iran. The Hebrew 'Eilam' may mean 'highlands' or 'eternal' based on the root 'olam' (meaning 'forever'), though some connect it to a Semitic word for 'hidden'. As a given name, it was adopted by Puritans in the 17th century and has seen occasional use since.
Where Elam is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Elam” around the world
Where Elam lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Sibling names for Elam
Names that share Elam's style, for a brother or sister.
