Else
Every Else since 1884 — 514 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Else
Else is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1884, 514 American babies have been named Else. Its peak came in 1932, when 14 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1930s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Else stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Else year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | 5 | #15,807 |
| 2019 | 5 | #16,256 |
| 2018 | 7 | #12,876 |
| 2017 | 6 | #14,661 |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | 12 | #9,194 |
| 2012 | 9 | #11,557 |
| 2011 | 7 | #13,784 |
| 2010 | 6 | #15,537 |
| 2009 | 6 | #15,833 |
| 2008 | 6 | #15,999 |
| 2007 | 8 | #13,050 |
| 2006 | 6 | #15,708 |
| 2005 | 10 | #10,363 |
| 2004 | 5 | #16,907 |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | 10 | #9,718 |
| 2001 | 6 | #14,065 |
| 2000 | 10 | #9,378 |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | 5 | #6,109 |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | 5 | #4,537 |
| 1935 | 14 | #2,233 |
| 1930 | 9 | #3,132 |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | 7 | #4,104 |
| 1915 | 8 | #3,214 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | 7 | #1,620 |
| 1895 | 12 | #949 |
| 1890 | 7 | #1,128 |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Else
- Else Lasker-Schüler Writer · 1869–1945
- Else Alfelt Painter · 1910–1974
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Else in 2025?
Else did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Else?
514 babies have been named Else in the United States since 1884, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Else most popular?
Else peaked in 1932, when 14 newborns received the name.
Is Else a boy or girl name?
Else is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Else rising or falling?
Else is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Else?
Well-known people named Else include Else Lasker-Schüler (writer), Else Alfelt (painter).