Holding steady.
Popularity of Elgene since 1918
Babies named Elgene per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 7 | 0 |
| 1920s | 55 | 5 |
| 1930s | 8 | 31 |
| 1940s | 0 | 12 |
| 1950s | 0 | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Elgene is a rare American coinage that emerged in the early 1900s, with its highest usage recorded in 1924. The name first appeared in 1918 and has since maintained a stable but extremely low frequency, never ranking among the top 1,000 names. Its construction mirrors the stylistic trend of the era, combining elements from popular names like Elmer and Eugene. While its exact origin is uncertain, Elgene represents a brief moment in early 20th-century naming fashion. It has no association with any particular region or notable figures, remaining a quiet, uncommon choice.
Elgene first appeared in United States records in the early 20th century, with its peak in the 1920s. It is likely a modern coinage combining the popular prefix El- (as in Elmer or Elbert) with the suffix -gene (as in Eugene). Alternatively, it may be a respelling of the Scottish place name Elgin. Its use has been rare and primarily American.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: El, Gene
Sibling names for Elgene
Names that share Elgene's style, for a brother or sister.
