Holding steady.
Popularity of Elfie since 1883
Babies named Elfie per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1914, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Elfie's real moment was 1888.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 33 |
| 1890s | 51 |
| 1900s | 71 |
| 1910s | 87 |
| 1920s | 74 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Elfie is a vintage diminutive name that evokes the charm of the Victorian era. First recorded in 1883, it reached its peak in 1888, when it was most popular among baby girls. In the 1880s, it was a rare but recognizable choice, often used as a nickname for longer names like Elfreda or Elizabeth. Today, Elfie remains uncommon, with a stable trajectory and no signs of revival. Its association with elves gives it a whimsical, folklore-inspired quality, though it has not achieved the enduring popularity of similar diminutives like Elsie or Effie. The name's usage has been concentrated in the United States, with no dominant state affiliation recorded in the Social Security data.
Elfie originated as a diminutive of names such as Elfreda (from Old English Ælfræd 'elf counsel') or Elizabeth (via the German diminutive Elfe). It also directly references the word 'elf,' a supernatural being in Germanic folklore. The name saw modest use in the late 19th century, peaking in 1888, and has since become rare.
“Elfie” around the world
Where Elfie 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 Elfie
Names that share Elfie's style, for a brother or sister.
