Elwood
Meaningelder tree wood · English
- US rank
- #1,919
- Syllables
- 2
- Peak
- #204 in 1915
81 babies were named Elwood in the US in 2025. It has climbed 927 places in five years.
Found on lists
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US births per million boys, 1880–2025
Most popular states (2025)
Similar names
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Elwood you might not know, from US birth records. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
- How commonAbout 1 in every 21,097 baby boys born in the US in 2025 was named Elwood, 81 babies in all. In a typical school of 500 kids, your Elwood would very likely be the only one.
- HistoryElwood has been in use since at least 1880, the first year US birth records were kept. That's 145 years of Elwoods, and counting.
- Best yearIt was far more popular in 1915, when it ranked #204. Today it's #1,919, so it could be due a comeback.
- Then vs nowElwood is 6.7× more common today than it was in 2000. In 2000 it was given to about 1 in 140,845 baby boys; in 2025, about 1 in 21,097.
- TrendElwood has climbed 927 places in the US rankings over the last five years and now sits at #1,919. Fast risers like this often keep climbing, so expect to hear it more.
- Where it's lovedElwood is most popular in Washington, where it ranks #801. It's in the top 1,000 in 1 state.
- MeaningIn English, Elwood means “elder tree wood”.
About the name Elwood
Elwood is a boy name of English origin meaning “elder tree wood”. It has 6 letters and 2 syllables, starting with E and ending in “-ood”. US birth records list Elwood for boys from 1880 to 2025, in 146 of those 146 years. Its best year was 1915, when it ranked #204 among boy names. In 2025 it ranked #1,919, with 81 babies.
Origin:English names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 250 | 3,996 boys |
| 1890s | 312 | 3,203 boys |
| 1900s | 373 | 2,681 boys |
| 1910s | 574 | 1,742 boys |
| 1920s | 499 | 2,006 boys |
| 1930s | 337 | 2,967 boys |
| 1940s | 180 | 5,552 boys |
| 1950s | 82 | 12,182 boys |
| 1960s | 45 | 22,104 boys |
| 1970s | 25 | 39,293 boys |
| 1980s | 13 | 78,989 boys |
| 1990s | 7.5 | 133,690 boys |
| 2000s | 5.8 | 173,310 boys |
| 2010s | 18 | 55,402 boys |
| 2020s | 32 | 31,562 boys |
Other spellings of Elwood
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 Elwood
What does the name Elwood mean?
Elwood means “elder tree wood” in English.
What is the origin of the name Elwood?
Elwood has English roots in our records. Other English names include Oliver, Henry, James.
Is Elwood a boy or girl name?
Elwood is a boy name.
How popular is the name Elwood?
Elwood ranked #1,919 for US boys in 2025, given to 81 babies. Its best year was 1915 (#204).