Elgin Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: EL-gin /ˈɛlɡɪn/
Origin: Scottish; English
Meaning: Scottish: noble; English: from the old town
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Elgin has its roots in the Scottish Gaelic language, deriving from the word "ailgin," which means "little rock" or "noble." This etymology reflects a connection to the natural landscape, often associated with strength and stability. The name entered the English language through the influence of Scottish culture, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries when Scottish names gained prominence in England and beyond due to increased mobility and cultural exchange.
Historically, Elgin is also associated with the town of Elgin in Moray, Scotland, which has a rich history dating back to the medieval period. The town was established around the 12th century and became notable for its cathedral, which was built in the 13th century and served as a significant religious site.
The name Elgin, therefore, carries historical weight, linked to both the geographical location and the ecclesiastical heritage of the region. Additionally, the name appears in various historical texts and records, contributing to its recognition in Scottish history.
Culturally, Elgin has resonated through its associations with nobility and the natural world, embodying qualities of strength and resilience. The name has been used in literature and historical accounts, reinforcing its significance over the centuries.
While diminutive forms or variations may exist, the name Elgin itself has maintained a consistent identity rooted in its Gaelic origins, reflecting both a sense of place and a connection to the enduring qualities of nature.
Famous people named Elgin
In this section, you will find notable people named Elgin. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Elgin who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Elgin who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Elgin Baylor is a former professional basketball player best known for his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, being an 11-time NBA All-Star, and his scoring prowess.
Elgin James is a writer and director best known for the film Little Birds and the television series Mayans M.C.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Elgin, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Elgin. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Elgin was first seen in the United States in 1886.
Elgin has ranked as high as #1515 nationally, which occurred in 1927, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Michigan, Louisiana, and New York.
In the past 5 years the name Elgin has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Elgin is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Elgin was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Elgin.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 2024 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 2023 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 2022 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 2021 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 2020 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 2019 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 2018 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 2017 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 2016 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 2015 | 26 | 26 | 0 |
| 2014 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 2013 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 2012 | 32 | 32 | 0 |
| 2011 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 2010 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 2009 | 27 | 27 | 0 |
| 2008 | 34 | 34 | 0 |
| 2007 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 2006 | 26 | 26 | 0 |
| 2005 | 39 | 39 | 0 |
| 2004 | 26 | 26 | 0 |
| 2003 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 2002 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 2001 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 2000 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 1999 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1998 | 24 | 24 | 0 |
| 1997 | 25 | 25 | 0 |
| 1996 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1995 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 1994 | 29 | 29 | 0 |
| 1993 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 1992 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1991 | 36 | 36 | 0 |
| 1990 | 43 | 43 | 0 |
| 1989 | 29 | 29 | 0 |
| 1988 | 35 | 35 | 0 |
| 1987 | 36 | 36 | 0 |
| 1986 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 1985 | 31 | 31 | 0 |
| 1984 | 40 | 40 | 0 |
| 1983 | 26 | 26 | 0 |
| 1982 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 1981 | 39 | 39 | 0 |
| 1980 | 34 | 34 | 0 |
| 1979 | 45 | 45 | 0 |
| 1978 | 48 | 48 | 0 |
| 1977 | 32 | 32 | 0 |
| 1976 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 1975 | 34 | 34 | 0 |
| 1974 | 38 | 38 | 0 |
| 1973 | 34 | 34 | 0 |
| 1972 | 49 | 49 | 0 |
| 1971 | 58 | 58 | 0 |
| 1970 | 67 | 67 | 0 |
| 1969 | 68 | 68 | 0 |
| 1968 | 46 | 46 | 0 |
| 1967 | 56 | 56 | 0 |
| 1966 | 49 | 49 | 0 |
| 1965 | 45 | 45 | 0 |
| 1964 | 46 | 46 | 0 |
| 1963 | 40 | 40 | 0 |
| 1962 | 49 | 49 | 0 |
| 1961 | 48 | 48 | 0 |
| 1960 | 34 | 34 | 0 |
| 1959 | 38 | 38 | 0 |
| 1958 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 1957 | 35 | 35 | 0 |
| 1956 | 31 | 31 | 0 |
| 1955 | 25 | 25 | 0 |
| 1954 | 31 | 31 | 0 |
| 1953 | 32 | 32 | 0 |
| 1952 | 35 | 35 | 0 |
| 1951 | 25 | 25 | 0 |
| 1950 | 40 | 40 | 0 |
| 1949 | 37 | 37 | 0 |
| 1948 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 1947 | 29 | 29 | 0 |
| 1946 | 25 | 25 | 0 |
| 1945 | 27 | 27 | 0 |
| 1944 | 24 | 24 | 0 |
| 1943 | 35 | 35 | 0 |
| 1942 | 36 | 36 | 0 |
| 1941 | 38 | 38 | 0 |
| 1940 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
| 1939 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 1938 | 33 | 33 | 0 |
| 1937 | 31 | 31 | 0 |
| 1936 | 35 | 35 | 0 |
| 1935 | 39 | 39 | 0 |
| 1934 | 31 | 31 | 0 |
| 1933 | 29 | 29 | 0 |
| 1932 | 37 | 30 | 7 |
| 1931 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 1930 | 45 | 45 | 0 |
| 1929 | 41 | 41 | 0 |
| 1928 | 42 | 42 | 0 |
| 1927 | 78 | 69 | 9 |
| 1926 | 41 | 36 | 5 |
| 1925 | 58 | 58 | 0 |
| 1924 | 48 | 48 | 0 |
| 1923 | 52 | 47 | 5 |
| 1922 | 68 | 62 | 6 |
| 1921 | 60 | 60 | 0 |
| 1920 | 69 | 69 | 0 |
| 1919 | 66 | 66 | 0 |
| 1918 | 62 | 62 | 0 |
| 1917 | 52 | 47 | 5 |
| 1916 | 49 | 49 | 0 |
| 1915 | 48 | 42 | 6 |
| 1914 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 1913 | 27 | 27 | 0 |
| 1912 | 25 | 25 | 0 |
| 1911 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1910 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1909 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1907 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1905 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1904 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1902 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1901 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1900 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1899 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1897 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1895 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1890 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1889 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1886 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Top States for Elgin (2012)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 6 |