boys' name · peaked 1927

Elgin

Every Elgin since 1886 — 4,002 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
0.030.050.080.118801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#9,982
among boys
Babies in 2025
7
named Elgin
Peak year
1927
78 babies
All-time total
4,002
since 1886

The story of Elgin

Elgin is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #9,982 in 2025 with 7 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1886, 4,002 American babies have been named Elgin. Its peak came in 1927, when 78 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 Elgin stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Elgin 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 7 #9,982
2024 10 #7,925
2023 11 #7,408
2022 9 #8,495
2021 18 #5,182
2020 16 #5,523
2019 14 #6,186
2018 23 #4,400
2017 14 #6,124
2016 21 #4,665
2015 26 #4,011
2014 21 #4,586
2013 14 #6,001
2012 32 #3,399
2011 23 #4,263
2010 17 #5,317
2009 27 #3,853
2008 34 #3,305
2007 21 #4,539
2006 26 #3,818
2005 39 #2,763
2004 26 #3,561
2003 28 #3,305
2002 22 #3,826
2001 19 #4,173
2000 23 #3,567
1995 21 #3,225
1990 43 #1,819
1985 31 #1,878
1980 34 #1,707
1975 34 #1,540
1970 67 #993
1965 45 #1,115
1960 34 #1,367
1955 25 #1,548
1950 40 #1,127
1945 27 #1,279
1940 30 #1,235
1935 39 #1,026
1930 45 #1,025
1925 58 #885
1920 69 #806
1915 6 #3,917 42 #967
1910 15 #791
1905 12 #715
1900 5 #1,370
1895 5 #1,128
1890 10 #639
1885
1880

Famous people named Elgin

  1. Elgin Baylor Basketball player · b. 1934

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

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Elgin in 2025?

Elgin ranked #9,982 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 7 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Elgin?

4,002 babies have been named Elgin in the United States since 1886, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Elgin most popular?

Elgin peaked in 1927, when 78 newborns received the name.

Is Elgin a boy or girl name?

Elgin is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.

Is the name Elgin rising or falling?

Elgin is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Elgin?

Well-known people named Elgin include Elgin Baylor (basketball player).

Names like Elgin

Compare Elgin with similar names →