Unisex name · peaked 1921

Elza

Every Elza since 1880 — 2,942 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.060.130.190.2518801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
among boys
Babies in 2025
8
named Elza
Peak year
1921
85 babies
All-time total
2,942
since 1880

The story of Elza

Elza 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 1880, 2,942 American babies have been named Elza — about 72% boys and 28% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1921, when 85 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 Elza stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Elza 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 8 #11,226
2024 15 #7,350
2023 14 #7,762
2022 16 #7,071
2021 10 #9,773
2020 11 #9,130
2019 13 #8,260
2018 18 #6,607
2017 11 #9,509
2016 15 #7,715
2015 15 #7,738
2014 22 #5,853
2013 12 #9,196
2012 14 #8,338
2011 10 #10,622
2010 10 #10,652
2009 5 #18,149
2008 9 #11,891
2007 11 #10,344
2006 5 #17,978
2005
2004 5 #16,910
2003
2002
2001 7 #12,458
2000 7 #12,185
1995
1990 5 #13,620 6 #7,446
1985
1980
1975
1970 7 #6,540 6 #4,396
1965
1960 8 #3,164
1955 6 #5,381 17 #1,921
1950 5 #5,534 10 #2,481
1945 21 #1,459
1940 21 #1,490
1935 8 #3,238 41 #999
1930 16 #2,134 43 #1,058
1925 9 #3,462 38 #1,149
1920 16 #2,301 66 #828
1915 13 #2,293 44 #944
1910 8 #1,822 11 #1,001
1905 8 #1,458 16 #600
1900 8 #1,478 16 #633
1895 19 #460
1890 15 #495
1885 15 #486
1880 25 #343

Famous people named Elza

  1. Elza Ibrahimova Composer · 1938–2012

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Elza in 2025?

Elza 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 Elza?

2,942 babies have been named Elza in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Elza most popular?

Elza peaked in 1921, when 85 newborns received the name.

Is Elza a boy or girl name?

Elza is used for both: about 28% of babies named Elza have been girls and 72% boys.

Is the name Elza rising or falling?

Elza has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Who are famous people named Elza?

Well-known people named Elza include Elza Ibrahimova (composer).

Names like Elza

Compare Elza with similar names →