Elmer Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: EL-mer /ˈɛlmər/
Origin: German; English
Meaning: German: noble; English: famous
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Elmer has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "ael" meaning "noble" and "maer" meaning "famous" or "renowned." This etymological combination suggests a meaning akin to "noble and famous." The name was introduced into the English language during the Anglo-Saxon period, where it was used as a given name and also appeared in various forms in Old English texts. Over time, it evolved through Middle English before becoming established in its modern form by the 19th century.
Historically, the name Elmer is associated with several notable figures and events. One significant milestone is the use of the name in the 19th century, particularly in the United States, where it gained traction among English-speaking populations.
The name is also linked to the literary work of the American author Elmer Davis, who was prominent in the early to mid-20th century. Additionally, Elmer is sometimes associated with the Elmer's Glue brand, which further solidified its presence in American culture during the 20th century.
Culturally, Elmer has been used in various contexts, often embodying qualities of strength and nobility. The name has appeared in folklore and popular media, contributing to its resonance in American culture.
Diminutive forms such as "El" have occasionally been used, although they are less common. Overall, Elmer reflects a blend of historical significance and cultural associations that have allowed it to endure through the centuries.
Famous people named Elmer
In this section, you will find notable people named Elmer. 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 Elmer who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Elmer 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.
Elmer Fudd is a cartoon character best known for his role in Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies.
Elmer Bernstein was a composer best known for his work on The Magnificent Seven, Ghostbusters, and To Kill a Mockingbird.
Elmer Davis was a journalist and radio broadcaster best known for his work with CBS and as the director of the Office of War Information during World War II.
Fictional characters named Elmer
The following list of fictional characters named Elmer is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Elmer Fudd is a fictional character from the Looney Tunes franchise. He is a hapless hunter known for his iconic speech impediment and his ongoing rivalry with Bugs Bunny.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Elmer, 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 Elmer. 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 Elmer was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Elmer has ranked as high as #102 nationally, which occurred in 1918, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, and Missouri.
In the past 5 years the name Elmer has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Elmer 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 Elmer was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Elmer (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| PA | 25 | |
| TX | 18 | |
| CA | 11 | |
| GA | 10 | |
| IN | 10 | |
| NY | 8 | |
| KY | 7 | |
| MD | 7 | |
| FL | 7 | |
| TN | 6 | |
| AZ | 5 | |
| OH | 5 | |
| IA | 5 |
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 Elmer.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 178 |
| 2023 | 140 |
| 2022 | 168 |
| 2021 | 160 |
| 2020 | 138 |
| 2019 | 175 |
| 2018 | 145 |
| 2017 | 151 |
| 2016 | 168 |
| 2015 | 153 |
| 2014 | 169 |
| 2013 | 158 |
| 2012 | 143 |
| 2011 | 181 |
| 2010 | 195 |
| 2009 | 226 |
| 2008 | 182 |
| 2007 | 243 |
| 2006 | 221 |
| 2005 | 226 |
| 2004 | 212 |
| 2003 | 307 |
| 2002 | 227 |
| 2001 | 237 |
| 2000 | 188 |
| 1999 | 178 |
| 1998 | 215 |
| 1997 | 222 |
| 1996 | 225 |
| 1995 | 212 |
| 1994 | 186 |
| 1993 | 205 |
| 1992 | 236 |
| 1991 | 210 |
| 1990 | 215 |
| 1989 | 167 |
| 1988 | 168 |
| 1987 | 160 |
| 1986 | 149 |
| 1985 | 140 |
| 1984 | 163 |
| 1983 | 150 |
| 1982 | 151 |
| 1981 | 157 |
| 1980 | 162 |
| 1979 | 191 |
| 1978 | 166 |
| 1977 | 176 |
| 1976 | 184 |
| 1975 | 187 |
| 1974 | 222 |
| 1973 | 209 |
| 1972 | 245 |
| 1971 | 271 |
| 1970 | 286 |
| 1969 | 300 |
| 1968 | 307 |
| 1967 | 306 |
| 1966 | 319 |
| 1965 | 376 |
| 1964 | 389 |
| 1963 | 409 |
| 1962 | 434 |
| 1961 | 478 |
| 1960 | 515 |
| 1959 | 529 |
| 1958 | 549 |
| 1957 | 660 |
| 1956 | 656 |
| 1955 | 714 |
| 1954 | 673 |
| 1953 | 688 |
| 1952 | 761 |
| 1951 | 842 |
| 1950 | 809 |
| 1949 | 867 |
| 1948 | 970 |
| 1947 | 997 |
| 1946 | 1,046 |
| 1945 | 969 |
| 1944 | 1,069 |
| 1943 | 1,311 |
| 1942 | 1,228 |
| 1941 | 1,202 |
| 1940 | 1,220 |
| 1939 | 1,328 |
| 1938 | 1,330 |
| 1937 | 1,413 |
| 1936 | 1,412 |
| 1935 | 1,592 |
| 1934 | 1,709 |
| 1933 | 1,787 |
| 1932 | 2,058 |
| 1931 | 2,265 |
| 1930 | 2,476 |
| 1929 | 2,697 |
| 1928 | 2,977 |
| 1927 | 3,205 |
| 1926 | 3,233 |
| 1925 | 3,356 |
| 1924 | 3,731 |
| 1923 | 3,630 |
| 1922 | 3,738 |
| 1921 | 4,146 |
| 1920 | 4,206 |
| 1919 | 3,982 |
| 1918 | 4,373 |
| 1917 | 3,812 |
| 1916 | 3,936 |
| 1915 | 3,802 |
| 1914 | 2,878 |
| 1913 | 2,323 |
| 1912 | 1,840 |
| 1911 | 894 |
| 1910 | 760 |
| 1909 | 687 |
| 1908 | 689 |
| 1907 | 616 |
| 1906 | 598 |
| 1905 | 602 |
| 1904 | 620 |
| 1903 | 556 |
| 1902 | 574 |
| 1901 | 520 |
| 1900 | 699 |
| 1899 | 514 |
| 1898 | 583 |
| 1897 | 587 |
| 1896 | 576 |
| 1895 | 610 |
| 1894 | 575 |
| 1893 | 574 |
| 1892 | 592 |
| 1891 | 508 |
| 1890 | 528 |
| 1889 | 557 |
| 1888 | 527 |
| 1887 | 467 |
| 1886 | 485 |
| 1885 | 443 |
| 1884 | 523 |
| 1883 | 423 |
| 1882 | 441 |
| 1881 | 388 |
| 1880 | 373 |