Elmira: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	211	21	–	#392
1890s	308	31	+46%	#460
1900s	389	39	+26%	#487
1910s	819	82	+111%	#572
1920s	903	90	+10%	#668
1930s	520	52	-42%	#883
1940s	390	39	-25%	#1,028
1950s	332	33	-15%	#1,369
1960s	180	18	-46%	#2,069
1970s	87	9	-52%	#4,169
1980s	32	3	-63%	#7,045
1990s	26	3	-19%	#9,528
2000s	19	2	-27%	#13,047
2010s	88	9	+363%	#8,133
2020s (to 2025)	56	9	+6%	#7,702

Decade

Girls

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

211

–

#392

1890s

308

+46%

#460

1900s

389

+26%

#487

1910s

819

+111%

#572

1920s

903

+10%

#668

1930s

520

-42%

#883

1940s

390

-25%

#1,028

1950s

332

-15%

#1,369

1960s

180

-46%

#2,069

1970s

-52%

#4,169

1980s

-63%

#7,045

1990s

-19%

#9,528

2000s

-27%

#13,047

2010s

+363%

#8,133

2020s (to 2025)

+6%

#7,702

The story of Elmira

Elmira is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #9,027 in 2025 with 11 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 4,360 American babies have been named Elmira. Its peak came in 1921, when 122 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 Elmira stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Elmira?

The median living Elmira is about 70 years old; half are between 54 and 81. An estimated 1,200 people named Elmira are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Elmira year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank
2025	11	#9,027
2024	14	#7,702
2023	10	#9,810
2022	13	#8,172
2021	–	–
2020	8	#11,399
2019	7	#12,847
2018	12	#8,775
2017	12	#8,947
2016	5	#17,011
2015	14	#8,133
2014	10	#10,376
2013	5	#17,343
2012	7	#13,928
2011	8	#12,511
2010	8	#12,649
2009	6	#15,831
2008	–	–
2007	8	#13,047
2006	–	–
2005	–	–
2004	–	–
2003	–	–
2002	5	#16,222
2001	–	–
2000	–	–
1995	–	–
1990	8	#9,528
1985	–	–
1980	–	–
1975	–	–
1970	11	#4,836
1965	11	#4,018
1960	31	#2,069
1955	28	#2,034
1950	33	#1,634
1945	36	#1,338
1940	49	#1,028
1935	54	#949
1930	67	#883
1925	87	#791
1920	97	#732
1915	102	#656
1910	47	#611
1905	40	#548
1900	33	#614
1895	40	#460
1890	31	#471
1885	15	#560
1880	13	#477

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Elmira, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Elmira?

The median living Elmira is about 70 years old. Half of all living Elmiras are between 54 and 81 years old.

How many people named Elmira are alive today?

An estimated 1,200 people named Elmira are alive in the United States, based on 4,360 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Elmira mean?

Possibly a feminine equivalent of Elmer, from Proto-Germanic *aþalaz (“noble”) + *mēraz (“famous”), as in Spanish Edelmira.

How popular is the name Elmira in 2025?

Elmira ranked #9,027 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 11 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Elmira?

4,360 babies have been named Elmira in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Elmira most popular?

Elmira peaked in 1921, when 122 newborns received the name.

Is Elmira a boy or girl name?

Elmira is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Elmira rising or falling?

Elmira is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Elmira

Elmira popularity over time

The story of Elmira

How old are people named Elmira?

Elmira year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Elmira