A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Elwin since 1882
Babies named Elwin per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1923, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Elwin's real moment was 1914.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 41 |
| 1890s | 65 |
| 1900s | 107 |
| 1910s | 830 |
| 1920s | 1,316 |
| 1930s | 820 |
| 1940s | 603 |
| 1950s | 483 |
| 1960s | 224 |
| 1970s | 127 |
| 1980s | 113 |
| 1990s | 128 |
| 2000s | 123 |
| 2010s | 108 |
| 2020s | 88 |
Meaning & origin
Elwin is an Old English name meaning 'elf friend' that first appeared in U.S. records in 1882. It reached its peak popularity in 1914, when it ranked number 4857. In 2025, it was given to about 1 in every 85,404 newborn boys, and it has been on a rising trajectory since 2014. During its early peak in the 1910s, Elwin was modestly used but never cracked the top 1000. While it lacks strong modern usage, its revival trajectory suggests a slow but steady reappearance. The name is almost entirely given to boys, reflecting its masculine Old English roots.
Elwin is derived from the Old English elements 'ælf' (elf) and 'wine' (friend), yielding the meaning 'elf-friend'. It is also sometimes considered a variant of Alvin. The name has been in use since the 19th century but never achieved widespread popularity.
Where Elwin is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: El, Winnie
Sibling names for Elwin
Names that share Elwin's style, for a brother or sister.
