Elmore is a unique and distinctive given name of English origin. Its meaning and history are rooted in the English language and culture.
The name Elmore is derived from two Old English elements: "ælf" which means elf, and "mær" which means famous or renowned. Therefore, the name Elmore can be interpreted as "famous elf," although it's important to note that this interpretation is not universally accepted and may vary among different sources.
There is no definitive record of when the name Elmore first appeared, but it is believed to have originated in England during the Middle Ages. It was likely given to children born into families with connections to Elfric, a 10th-century English abbot and bishop who was known for his scholarship and learning.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Elmore. One of the most well-known is Elmore James, an American blues musician who was active during the 1950s and 1960s. He was a highly influential figure in the development of electric blues guitar playing and left a lasting impact on popular music.
Today, Elmore remains a rare and uncommon given name, but its unique sound and historical significance make it an attractive choice for parents seeking to give their child a distinctive and meaningful name. While it may not be as widely used as some other names, those who bear the name Elmore are likely to stand out due to its rarity and rich history.
The given statistics track the annual number of babies named Elmore in the United States from 1880 to 2021. In this period, there was a total of 3957 births with the name Elmore.
Throughout most of the late 19th and early-to-mid 20th centuries, the number of babies named Elmore fluctuated significantly. The popularity of the name peaked in the early 1910s, with 80 births in 1914, 119 births in 1915, and a high of 131 births in 1918. This trend continued until the mid-1920s, with the number of births ranging from around 67 to 115 annually.
However, starting in the late 1920s, the popularity of the name Elmore began to decline steadily. From 1930 onwards, there were fewer than 80 births per year on average, and this trend continued until the 1960s. Between 1960 and 1970, the number of babies named Elmore hovered around 20 births per year.
In the late 20th century and early 21st century, the name Elmore became quite rare, with fewer than 15 births annually from 1980 onwards. Between 1996 and 2005, there were only five births each year, and in 2021, there were just five births as well.
Despite its fluctuating popularity over the past century and a half, the name Elmore has been given to a total of 3957 babies born in the United States between 1880 and 2021.