Elmer

Last seen for girls in 1980 at #10,392 · #1,222 for boys in 2025, 165 births
Given to boys 98.7% of the time

Showing
Show data for
Peak · boys
1893 · 574 births
Debut · boys
373 births
In top 100 · boys
53 yrs
of 146 years
Total births · boys
129,591
since 1880

Elmer over time

boys

Rank among boys' names. Click any year to open it.

#1#10#100#1,000rank188019001920194019601980200020201950peak #32, 1893boys
Hover or use arrow keys to read values by year; click or press Enter to open that year.

Gaps mean fewer than 5 babies received the name that year, so the SSA doesn't publish it.

Show data table
Yeargirlsboys
rankbirthsrankbirths
2025—#1,222165
2024—#1,155181
2023—#1,346140
2022—#1,191168
2021—#1,207160
2020—#1,308138
2019—#1,118175
2018—#1,261145
2017—#1,213151
2016—#1,141169
2015—#1,205153
2014—#1,130169
2013—#1,144158
2012—#1,237143
2011—#1,046181
2010—#1,005195
2009—#909227
2008—#1,041182
2007—#857244
2006—#889221
2005—#826227
2004—#832214
2003—#649307
2002—#760227
2001—#734237
2000—#850188
1999—#850178
1998—#749215
1997—#711222
1996—#704225
1995—#738212
1994—#772186
1993—#725205
1992—#675236
1991—#699210
1990—#691215
1989—#767167
1988—#727168
1987—#724160
1986—#744149
1985—#752140
1984—#677163
1983—#698150
1982—#708151
1981—#689157
1980#10,3925#681162
1979—#618191
1978—#651166
1977—#639176
1976—#598184
1975#9,0675#590187
1974—#537222
1973—#539209
1972—#502245
1971—#486271
1970—#476286
1969—#450300
1968—#435307
1967#6,0426#434306
1966#6,5645#426319
1965—#405376
1964#6,0096#407389
1963#6,5925#398409
1962#6,5785#385434
1961—#363478
1960#4,4379#342515
1959#4,3009#337529
1958#3,92510#329549
1957#4,5368#289660
1956#5,3256#286656
1955#4,7407#261714
1954#4,6557#271673
1953#3,9559#265688
1952#3,20112#245761
1951#2,93713#226842
1950#3,05212#226809
1949#2,21220#215866
1948#2,49116#203971
1947#2,89813#201997
1946#3,03411#1781,046
1945#2,23715#169969
1944#2,02718#1641,069
1943#2,35215#1541,311
1942#2,04618#1581,228
1941#2,09616#1471,202
1940#2,29713#1441,220
1939#1,51425#1321,327
1938#1,65022#1301,332
1937#1,49325#1201,413
1936#1,18636#1211,412
1935#1,38128#1151,592
1934#1,19036#1081,709
1933#1,33029#1011,787
1932#1,21335#942,058
1931#1,19936#822,265
1930#1,12843#802,476
1929#1,01551#702,697
1928#89667#632,977
1927#1,04254#613,205
1926#96360#613,233
1925#1,06451#613,356
1924#1,12348#573,731
1923#1,15844#573,630
1922#1,05951#543,738
1921#1,00356#484,146
1920#1,07448#454,206
1919#98453#443,982
1918#1,12643#444,373
1917#1,01348#453,812
1916#1,05943#453,936
1915#1,00044#453,802
1914#1,11929#462,878
1913#96131#452,323
1912#97827#471,840
1911#93222#48894
1910#1,06917#48760
1909#76128#45687
1908#82922#42689
1907#1,3849#44616
1906#1,22910#42598
1905#79721#41602
1904#1,09211#39620
1903#1,02712#40556
1902#1,3208#40574
1901#1,1369#38520
1900#88518#38699
1899#1,3946#37514
1898#96313#40583
1897#1,1678#34587
1896#1,04710#36576
1895#1,5925#34610
1894#90512#37575
1893#86512#32574
1892#90811#36592
1891#1,0068#36508
1890#9409#38528
1889#1,1476#34557
1888—#39527
1887—#36467
1886—#35485
1885#7459#40443
1884—#35523
1883—#40423
1882—#38441
1881—#38388
1880—#41373
First appearance
1880

In the first year the SSA published name data, Elmer was already there! It came in at #41, and was given to 373 baby boys.


Quietest stretch: 2010–2025, when fewer than 200 boys a year got the name.

Where Elmer is popular in 1950

  • Rank in state
  • Top 10
  • 11–50
  • 51–100
  • 101–500
  • 501+
  • Not published
Alaska: fewer than 5 boys named Elmer, so not publishedAKMaine: fewer than 5 boys named Elmer, so not publishedMEVermont: fewer than 5 boys named Elmer, so not publishedVTNew Hampshire: fewer than 5 boys named Elmer, so not publishedNHWashington: #276 for boys · 7 births · 1 in 3,869 boysWAIdaho: fewer than 5 boys named Elmer, so not publishedIDMontana: fewer than 5 boys named Elmer, so not publishedMTNorth Dakota: fewer than 5 boys named Elmer, so not publishedNDMinnesota: #296 for boys · 6 births · 1 in 5,938 boysMNIllinois: #234 for boys · 31 births · 1 in 2,991 boysILWisconsin: #190 for boys · 17 births · 1 in 2,303 boysWIMichigan: #217 for boys · 30 births · 1 in 2,592 boysMINew York: #320 for boys · 26 births · 1 in 5,802 boysNYMassachusetts: #248 for boys · 7 births · 1 in 6,785 boysMARhode Island: fewer than 5 boys named Elmer, so not publishedRIOregon: #228 for boys · 8 births · 1 in 2,101 boysORNevada: fewer than 5 boys named Elmer, so not publishedNVWyoming: fewer than 5 boys named Elmer, so not publishedWYSouth Dakota: fewer than 5 boys named Elmer, so not publishedSDIowa: #206 for boys · 16 births · 1 in 1,880 boysIAIndiana: #215 for boys · 20 births · 1 in 2,246 boysINOhio: #176 for boys · 54 births · 1 in 1,682 boysOHPennsylvania: #145 for boys · 67 births · 1 in 1,618 boysPANew Jersey: #215 for boys · 13 births · 1 in 3,539 boysNJConnecticut: fewer than 5 boys named Elmer, so not publishedCTCalifornia: #403 for boys · 19 births · 1 in 6,423 boysCAUtah: fewer than 5 boys named Elmer, so not publishedUTColorado: #183 for boys · 12 births · 1 in 1,364 boysCONebraska: #252 for boys · 5 births · 1 in 2,964 boysNEMissouri: #180 for boys · 27 births · 1 in 1,544 boysMOKentucky: #117 for boys · 49 births · 1 in 729 boysKYWest Virginia: #115 for boys · 32 births · 1 in 760 boysWVVirginia: #175 for boys · 28 births · 1 in 1,322 boysVAMaryland: #160 for boys · 19 births · 1 in 1,285 boysMDDelaware: fewer than 5 boys named Elmer, so not publishedDEArizona: fewer than 5 boys named Elmer, so not publishedAZNew Mexico: #257 for boys · 6 births · 1 in 1,649 boysNMKansas: #163 for boys · 18 births · 1 in 1,106 boysKSArkansas: #163 for boys · 22 births · 1 in 1,012 boysARTennessee: #155 for boys · 36 births · 1 in 1,089 boysTNNorth Carolina: #239 for boys · 25 births · 1 in 2,009 boysNCSouth Carolina: #261 for boys · 11 births · 1 in 2,594 boysSCDistrict of Columbia: #226 for boys · 6 births · 1 in 2,187 boysDCOklahoma: #159 for boys · 23 births · 1 in 1,034 boysOKLouisiana: #234 for boys · 22 births · 1 in 1,610 boysLAMississippi: #237 for boys · 15 births · 1 in 1,940 boysMSAlabama: #300 for boys · 12 births · 1 in 3,171 boysALGeorgia: #202 for boys · 27 births · 1 in 1,609 boysGAHawaii: fewer than 5 boys named Elmer, so not publishedHITexas: #314 for boys · 42 births · 1 in 2,472 boysTXFlorida: #208 for boys · 22 births · 1 in 1,384 boysFL

Hover or tap a state for its numbers.

Top states · boys
  1. West Virginia#115 · 1 in 760
  2. Kentucky#117 · 1 in 729
  3. Pennsylvania#145 · 1 in 1,618
  4. Tennessee#155 · 1 in 1,089
  5. Oklahoma#159 · 1 in 1,034

Best ever in a state: #12 in Nevada, 1913.

Show every state
StateRankBirthsShare
West Virginia#115321 in 760
Kentucky#117491 in 729
Pennsylvania#145671 in 1,618
Tennessee#155361 in 1,089
Oklahoma#159231 in 1,034
Maryland#160191 in 1,285
Arkansas#163221 in 1,012
Kansas#163181 in 1,106
Virginia#175281 in 1,322
Ohio#176541 in 1,682
Missouri#180271 in 1,544
Colorado#183121 in 1,364
Wisconsin#190171 in 2,303
Georgia#202271 in 1,609
Iowa#206161 in 1,880
Florida#208221 in 1,384
Indiana#215201 in 2,246
New Jersey#215131 in 3,539
Michigan#217301 in 2,592
District of Columbia#22661 in 2,187
Oregon#22881 in 2,101
Illinois#234311 in 2,991
Louisiana#234221 in 1,610
Mississippi#237151 in 1,940
North Carolina#239251 in 2,009
Massachusetts#24871 in 6,785
Nebraska#25251 in 2,964
New Mexico#25761 in 1,649
South Carolina#261111 in 2,594
Washington#27671 in 3,869
Minnesota#29661 in 5,938
Alabama#300121 in 3,171
Texas#314421 in 2,472
New York#320261 in 5,802
California#403191 in 6,423
Alaska———
Arizona———
Connecticut———
Delaware———
Hawaii———
Idaho———
Maine———
Montana———
Nevada———
New Hampshire———
North Dakota———
Rhode Island———
South Dakota———
Utah———
Vermont———
Wyoming———

Ranks are within each state; “1 in N” is out of the boys born there that year. The SSA only publishes a name in a state when 5 or more babies of one sex got it.

See more about Elmer
Momentum · boys
Holding steady
  • 67 spots since 2024 (#1,155 → #1,222)
  • 86 spots since 2020 (#1,308 → #1,222)
  • 17 spots since 2015 (#1,205 → #1,222)
  • Biggest jump: 132 spots in 2009 (#1,041 → #909)
  • Biggest drop: 184 spots in 2008 (#857 → #1,041)
Rise & fade · boys
13 yrs to peak
  • Debuted 1880
  • Peaked 1893 at #32 (574 births)
  • Births halved by 1970, 77 yrs later
Top of the charts · boys
Top 100 for 53 yrs
  • Top 10: never
  • Top 100: 53 yrs · run 1880–1932
  • Top 1,000: 129 yrs · run 1880–2007
Share of babies · boys
1 in 192
  • Highest: 1 in 192 boys born in 1897 were named Elmer (0.52%)
  • Latest: 1 in 10,352 boys born in 2025 (0.01%)
  • Its best rank, #32 in 1893, was only 1 in 196 (0.51%) — a smaller share of a much bigger birth year
Era · boys
The 1920s
  • 26.9% of all boys named Elmer (34,919) were born in this decade
Show by decade
DecadeBirthsBest rankAvg rank
1880s4,627#34 (1889)#38
1890s5,647#32 (1893)#36
1900s6,161#38 (1900)#41
1910s28,600#44 (1918)#46
1920s34,919#45 (1920)#58
1930s17,371#80 (1930)#108
1940s10,879#144 (1940)#173
1950s6,881#226 (1951)#274
1960s3,833#342 (1960)#405
1970s2,137#476 (1970)#564
1980s1,567#677 (1984)#717
1990s2,104#675 (1992)#731
2000s2,274#649 (2003)#835
2010s1,639#1,005 (2010)#1,150
2020s952#1,155 (2024)#1,238

All figures count published births only (names given to at least 5 boys in a year). Registrations before 1937 are incomplete, so early shares and totals run low.

Elmer in 1950

girls
#3,052
12 births · 1 in 142,755 girls
boys
#226
809 births · 1 in 2,213 boys

Top girls' names in 1950

  1. #1Linda80,433
  2. #2Mary65,481
  3. #3Patricia47,944
  4. #4Barbara41,556
  5. #5Susan38,017
  6. #6Nancy29,617
  7. #7Deborah29,063
  8. #8Sandra28,896
  9. #9Carol26,163
  10. #10Kathleen25,706
  11. #3,052Elmer12

Top boys' names in 1950

  1. #1James86,228
  2. #2Robert83,553
  3. #3John79,412
  4. #4Michael65,136
  5. #5David60,729
  6. #6William60,680
  7. #7Richard51,003
  8. #8Thomas45,596
  9. #9Charles39,095
  10. #10Gary33,737
  11. #226Elmer809
More about 1950

girls

1,713,054 girls got a published name in 1950; 1 in 142,755 of them was named Elmer, which outranked 50.0% of the 6,109 girls' names that year. The ten most popular names covered 24.1% of girls (24.6% in 1880, 7.0% in 2025).

Ranked beside Elmer
  1. #2,909Youlanda13
  2. #2,909Zenaida13
  3. #2,909Zoraida13
  4. #3,052Elmer12
  5. #3,052Aleen12
  6. #3,052Aloha12
  7. #3,052Alona12
  8. #3,235Acquanetta11
  9. #3,235Adair11
  10. #3,235Albina11

Tied with 182 names at #3,052; 3 shown. Tied names share a rank, as in SSA's lists.

Biggest movers since 1949
Risers
  1. ↑ 1,242Mindy#2,013 → #771
  2. ↑ 649Geralyn#1,627 → #978
  3. ↑ 636Kyle#1,512 → #876
  4. ↑ 416Debrah#1,109 → #693
  5. ↑ 405Debbra#1,353 → #948
Fallers
  1. ↓ 241Luana#823 → #1,064
  2. ↓ 231Christene#930 → #1,161
  3. ↓ 216Pearline#785 → #1,001
  4. ↓ 210Ingrid#518 → #728
  5. ↓ 201Dayle#982 → #1,183

Among names in the top 1,000 of either year.

boys

1,790,262 boys got a published name in 1950; 1 in 2,213 of them was named Elmer, which outranked 94.6% of the 4,196 boys' names that year. The ten most popular names covered 33.8% of boys (44.2% in 1880, 8.0% in 2025).

Ranked beside Elmer
  1. #223Lyle828
  2. #224Marion820
  3. #225Tyrone815
  4. #226Elmer809
  5. #227Laurence807
  6. #228Greg804
  7. #228Nelson804
Biggest movers since 1949
Risers
  1. ↑ 744Ezzard#1,616 → #872
  2. ↑ 510Kelvin#1,085 → #575
  3. ↑ 447Nancy#1,297 → #850
  4. ↑ 420Samual#1,380 → #960
  5. ↑ 376Shaun#1,275 → #899
Fallers
  1. ↓ 371Sharon#885 → #1,256
  2. ↓ 369Melvyn#770 → #1,139
  3. ↓ 367Les#997 → #1,364
  4. ↓ 351Delmas#905 → #1,256
  5. ↓ 315Denzil#808 → #1,123

Among names in the top 1,000 of either year.

See the top 100 for 1950 →