Elder
Meaningelder · English
- US rank
- #2,718
- Syllables
- 2
- Peak
- #548 in 1899
47 babies were named Elder in the US in 2025. It has climbed 779 places in five years.
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US births per million boys, 1880–2025
Similar names
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Elder you might not know, from US birth records. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
- How commonAbout 1 in every 36,364 baby boys born in the US in 2025 was named Elder, 47 babies in all. In a typical school of 500 kids, your Elder would very likely be the only one.
- HistoryElder has been in use since at least 1880, the first year US birth records were kept. That's 145 years of Elders, and counting.
- Best yearIt was far more popular in 1899, when it ranked #548. Today it's #2,718, so it could be due a comeback.
- TrendElder has climbed 779 places in the US rankings over the last five years and now sits at #2,718. Fast risers like this often keep climbing, so expect to hear it more.
- MeaningIn English, Elder means “elder”.
About the name Elder
Elder is a boy name of English origin meaning “elder”. It has 5 letters and 2 syllables, starting with E and ending in “-der”. US birth records list Elder for boys from 1880 to 2025, in 125 of those 146 years. Its best year was 1899, when it ranked #548 among boy names. In 2025 it ranked #2,718, with 47 babies.
Origin:English names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 41 | 24,402 boys |
| 1890s | 42 | 24,038 boys |
| 1900s | 38 | 26,281 boys |
| 1910s | 32 | 31,676 boys |
| 1920s | 19 | 51,680 boys |
| 1930s | 12 | 85,179 boys |
| 1940s | 6.5 | 153,610 boys |
| 1950s | 3.0 | 337,838 boys |
| 1960s | 1.6 | 641,026 boys |
| 1970s | 2.9 | 343,643 boys |
| 1980s | 3.8 | 264,550 boys |
| 1990s | 12 | 83,333 boys |
| 2000s | 21 | 47,483 boys |
| 2010s | 20 | 50,327 boys |
| 2020s | 26 | 38,462 boys |
More English boy names
- Boy name: Oliver · olive tree
- Boy name: Henry · ruler of the home
- Unisex name: James · supplanter
- Boy name: William · resolute protector
- Boy name: Benjamin · son of the right hand
- Boy name: Jack · God is gracious
- Unisex name: Hudson · son of Hudde
- Unisex name: Julian · of the Julius family
Questions about the name Elder
What does the name Elder mean?
Elder means “elder” in English.
What is the origin of the name Elder?
Elder has English roots in our records. Other English names include Oliver, Henry, James.
Is Elder a boy or girl name?
Elder is a boy name.
How popular is the name Elder?
Elder ranked #2,718 for US boys in 2025, given to 47 babies. Its best year was 1899 (#548).