Elwood
From the Middle English personal name Elwald, Elwold, Alwold, which is composed of the Old English elements ælf (“elf”) and weald (“rule”).
Every Elwood since 1880 — 20,839 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Elwood
Elwood is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #1,921 in 2025 with 81 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 20,839 American babies have been named Elwood. Its peak came in 1921, when 625 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
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 Elwood stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Elwood year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 81 | #1,921 |
| 2024 | — | — | 71 | #2,104 |
| 2023 | — | — | 41 | #3,021 |
| 2022 | — | — | 43 | #2,931 |
| 2021 | — | — | 50 | #2,595 |
| 2020 | — | — | 42 | #2,856 |
| 2019 | — | — | 33 | #3,440 |
| 2018 | — | — | 39 | #3,011 |
| 2017 | — | — | 43 | #2,812 |
| 2016 | — | — | 51 | #2,485 |
| 2015 | — | — | 52 | #2,440 |
| 2014 | — | — | 36 | #3,107 |
| 2013 | — | — | 29 | #3,603 |
| 2012 | — | — | 20 | #4,745 |
| 2011 | — | — | 17 | #5,271 |
| 2010 | — | — | 19 | #4,895 |
| 2009 | — | — | 15 | #5,890 |
| 2008 | — | — | 13 | #6,512 |
| 2007 | — | — | 13 | #6,370 |
| 2006 | — | — | 11 | #7,066 |
| 2005 | — | — | 11 | #6,768 |
| 2004 | — | — | 12 | #6,245 |
| 2003 | — | — | 10 | #6,878 |
| 2002 | — | — | 5 | #11,214 |
| 2001 | — | — | 11 | #6,149 |
| 2000 | — | — | 14 | #5,116 |
| 1995 | — | — | 7 | #7,239 |
| 1990 | — | — | 20 | #3,091 |
| 1985 | — | — | 17 | #2,865 |
| 1980 | — | — | 34 | #1,708 |
| 1975 | — | — | 37 | #1,463 |
| 1970 | — | — | 54 | #1,120 |
| 1965 | — | — | 75 | #850 |
| 1960 | — | — | 120 | #714 |
| 1955 | — | — | 157 | #585 |
| 1950 | — | — | 179 | #498 |
| 1945 | — | — | 223 | #402 |
| 1940 | — | — | 288 | #337 |
| 1935 | — | — | 314 | #305 |
| 1930 | 5 | #4,749 | 462 | #260 |
| 1925 | 6 | #4,584 | 571 | #229 |
| 1920 | — | — | 586 | #220 |
| 1915 | — | — | 529 | #204 |
| 1910 | — | — | 93 | #250 |
| 1905 | — | — | 36 | #340 |
| 1900 | — | — | 51 | #290 |
| 1895 | — | — | 43 | #269 |
| 1890 | — | — | 24 | #361 |
| 1885 | — | — | 28 | #321 |
| 1880 | — | — | 23 | #356 |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Elwood mean?
From the Middle English personal name Elwald, Elwold, Alwold, which is composed of the Old English elements ælf (“elf”) and weald (“rule”).
How popular is the name Elwood in 2025?
Elwood ranked #1,921 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 81 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Elwood?
20,839 babies have been named Elwood in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Elwood most popular?
Elwood peaked in 1921, when 625 newborns received the name.
Is Elwood a boy or girl name?
Elwood is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Elwood rising or falling?
Elwood is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.