Elif
Every Elif since 1977 — 1,534 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Elif
Elif is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #1,915 in 2025 with 101 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1977, 1,534 American babies have been named Elif. Its peak came in 2024, when 115 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
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 Elif stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Elif year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 101 | #1,915 |
| 2024 | 115 | #1,755 |
| 2023 | 90 | #2,129 |
| 2022 | 106 | #1,900 |
| 2021 | 85 | #2,191 |
| 2020 | 81 | #2,222 |
| 2019 | 52 | #3,102 |
| 2018 | 65 | #2,655 |
| 2017 | 68 | #2,580 |
| 2016 | 69 | #2,572 |
| 2015 | 53 | #3,146 |
| 2014 | 75 | #2,423 |
| 2013 | 54 | #3,053 |
| 2012 | 59 | #2,912 |
| 2011 | 46 | #3,463 |
| 2010 | 48 | #3,375 |
| 2009 | 38 | #4,038 |
| 2008 | 36 | #4,297 |
| 2007 | 32 | #4,595 |
| 2006 | 27 | #5,129 |
| 2005 | 23 | #5,491 |
| 2004 | 9 | #10,951 |
| 2003 | 14 | #7,706 |
| 2002 | 12 | #8,441 |
| 2001 | 9 | #10,354 |
| 2000 | 9 | #10,141 |
| 1995 | 10 | #8,270 |
| 1990 | 8 | #9,523 |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | 5 | #10,839 |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Elif
- Elif Shafak Writer · b. 1971
- Elif Elmas Soccer player · b. 1999
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Elif in 2025?
Elif ranked #1,915 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 101 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Elif?
1,534 babies have been named Elif in the United States since 1977, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Elif most popular?
Elif peaked in 2024, when 115 newborns received the name.
Is Elif a boy or girl name?
Elif is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Elif rising or falling?
Elif is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Elif?
Well-known people named Elif include Elif Shafak (writer), Elif Elmas (soccer player).