Holding steady.
Popularity of Elner since 1904
Babies named Elner per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Elner's real moment was 1913.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 100 |
| 1920s | 147 |
| 1930s | 80 |
| 1940s | 56 |
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Elner is a rare given name in the United States, first recorded in 1904. Its peak popularity occurred in 1913, when it was most commonly given to baby girls. However, the name has not ranked in the top 1000 names for many decades and shows a stable trajectory of minimal use. Despite its obscurity, Elner has a vintage charm reminiscent of early 20th century naming trends, alongside names like Ethel and Mabel. The name does not appear in any top state lists, indicating its scattered use across the country.
Elner is a name of uncertain origin, possibly a variant of Elner, itself a medieval English given name derived from the Old English elements 'æthel' (noble) and 'north' (north), or a feminine form of Elmer, which comes from the Old English 'æthel-mær', meaning 'noble and famous'. The name was most popular in the early 20th century, particularly in the 1910s, but has since fallen out of common use.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ellie, Nell
Variants: Elner, Elnera
Sibling names for Elner
Names that share Elner's style, for a brother or sister.
