Elbert is a unique and distinctive male given name of English origin. The name is derived from the Old English words "ælf" meaning elf or noble, and "beorht" which means bright or famous. Thus, Elbert can be interpreted to mean "elf-bright" or "noble and bright".
The name Elbert has a rich history dating back to medieval England. It was often used as a personal name during this period, with some variations such as Albur, Albrect, and Albumert. The most famous bearer of the name is likely Elbert Einstein, the renowned physicist who developed the theory of relativity.
Despite its historic roots, Elbert remains a rare name today. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, only 27 boys were named Elbert in 2019. This rarity may contribute to its unique appeal for parents looking for an unusual yet meaningful name for their son.
In terms of popularity, Elbert has never been a top choice among parents. Its peak usage was in the early 20th century when it ranked as high as number 544 in 1916. However, by 2019, its rank had fallen to 2,738 out of over 4,000 names analyzed.
While Elbert may not be a widely used name today, its historic significance and unique meaning make it an appealing choice for parents who wish to give their son a distinctive and meaningful name with deep roots in English history.
The name Elbert has seen a significant decline in popularity over the past century in the United States. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was a fairly popular name with around 79 to 450 births per year between 1880 and 1915.
However, starting from the 1920s, the popularity of the name Elbert began to decline. Between 1924 and 1936, there were around 673 to 475 births per year, a significant drop compared to the earlier decades.
The trend of decreasing popularity continued throughout the mid-20th century. From 1940 to 1960, there were approximately 470 to 263 births per year. By the 1970s and 1980s, the number of annual births with the name Elbert had decreased further, ranging from 198 to 59 births per year.
In recent decades, the name Elbert has become quite rare in the United States. Between 1990 and 2022, there have been fewer than 76 births per year on average, with a total of 33490 births recorded over this period. The highest point in the past three decades was in 2000 with 37 births, while the lowest points were in 2020 and 2021 with 7 and 5 births respectively.
Despite its decline in popularity, the name Elbert holds historical significance due to its once-common usage during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It remains an interesting choice for parents looking for a unique and distinctive name for their child.