Declining since 2012, #2,480 for boys today.
Popularity of Elan since 1963
Babies named Elan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 19 | 50 |
| 1970s | 92 | 201 |
| 1980s | 173 | 394 |
| 1990s | 154 | 441 |
| 2000s | 135 | 794 |
| 2010s | 178 | 1,234 |
| 2020s | 47 | 419 |
Meaning & origin
Elan is a name of debated origin, possibly from a Hebrew word meaning 'oak tree' or an Anglicized form of the Irish Eilan. First recorded in the United States in 1963, Elan reached its peak popularity in 2011, ranking in the top 2500. Since 2012, usage has fallen. In 2025, approximately 1 in 31,631 boys received the name. It has been most popular in Florida, New York, and California. While not extremely common, Elan's simplicity and cross-cultural appeal make it a distinctive choice for modern parents seeking a short, nature-associated name.
Elan may have multiple origins. As a Hebrew name, it is considered a variant of Elan meaning 'oak tree' or 'tree'. It also appears as an Anglicized form of the Irish name Eilan, which itself is a variant of Eileen or Helen. In modern usage, Elan has gained some popularity in the United States since the 1960s, peaking in the early 2010s.
Where Elan is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Elan” around the world
Where Elan lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: El
Sibling names for Elan
Names that share Elan's style, for a brother or sister.
