Elmo
From an Italian contraction of Erasmo, cognate with Erasmus.
Every Elmo since 1880 — 10,338 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Elmo
Elmo is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1880, 10,338 American babies have been named Elmo. Its peak came in 1920, when 409 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 Elmo stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Elmo 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 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | 5 | #12,781 |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | 6 | #11,162 |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | 5 | #12,695 |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | 5 | #13,042 |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — | 7 | #8,946 |
| 2002 | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — | 11 | #6,148 |
| 2000 | — | — | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — | 10 | #5,110 |
| 1985 | — | — | 12 | #3,657 |
| 1980 | — | — | 9 | #4,246 |
| 1975 | — | — | 20 | #2,236 |
| 1970 | — | — | 24 | #1,813 |
| 1965 | — | — | 28 | #1,462 |
| 1960 | — | — | 48 | #1,134 |
| 1955 | — | — | 71 | #879 |
| 1950 | — | — | 76 | #784 |
| 1945 | — | — | 78 | #685 |
| 1940 | — | — | 103 | #583 |
| 1935 | — | — | 148 | #466 |
| 1930 | — | — | 183 | #433 |
| 1925 | 17 | #2,216 | 273 | #356 |
| 1920 | 12 | #2,776 | 397 | #279 |
| 1915 | 12 | #2,432 | 286 | #302 |
| 1910 | 5 | #2,524 | 86 | #264 |
| 1905 | — | — | 27 | #416 |
| 1900 | — | — | 40 | #345 |
| 1895 | — | — | 26 | #372 |
| 1890 | — | — | 12 | #575 |
| 1885 | — | — | 14 | #508 |
| 1880 | — | — | 15 | #470 |
Famous people named Elmo
- Elmo Lincoln Actor · 1889–1952
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Elmo mean?
From an Italian contraction of Erasmo, cognate with Erasmus.
How popular is the name Elmo in 2025?
Elmo did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Elmo?
10,338 babies have been named Elmo in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Elmo most popular?
Elmo peaked in 1920, when 409 newborns received the name.
Is Elmo a boy or girl name?
Elmo is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 98% of babies with the name.
Is the name Elmo rising or falling?
Elmo has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Elmo?
Well-known people named Elmo include Elmo Lincoln (actor).