Elwood

Meaning: Elf rule
Origin: Old English

Boy's name · #1921 in the US (2025) · Comeback

Popularity over time

Elwood was #204 in 1915, slipped to #11214 by 2002, and has climbed back to #1921 today. About 21,000 boys have carried it since 1880. In all that time it has never once missed a year of the national records.

Across the states

See where Elwood is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 2 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Elwood ranks in other countries and regions.

#1,727 in England & Wales (2025) · #2,959 in Canada (2024).

Famous Elwoods

Elwood Haynes — American inventor (1857–1925)
Elwood V. Jensen — American biologist (1920–2012)
Elwood Hillis — American politician (1926–2023)
Elwood Cooke — US tennis player (1914–2004)
Elwood Edwards — American voice actor (1949–2024)

In stories & tradition

Elwood Blues — The Blues Brothers (film)

What Elwoods become

Among 72 notable people named Elwood:

Lawyers & judges appear 2.13× more often than among typical names — e.g. Elwood Evans, American lawyer (1828–1898).

Similar names: Woodrow · Elton · Wayland · Harland · Elvin · Emmet

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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