Elmer Boy

Popularity: #773 · Trend: ↗ Rising

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.

AlbertEugeneWalterHaroldOscarArthur

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.

AlfredEdgarEmmettEldonElliotEugeneElijah

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Elmer was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Elmer has ranked as high as #103 nationally, which occurred in 1918, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, Texas, and Kentucky.

In the past 5 years the name Elmer has been trending up 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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 165 165 0
2024 181 181 0
2023 140 140 0
2022 168 168 0
2021 160 160 0
2020 138 138 0
2019 175 175 0
2018 145 145 0
2017 151 151 0
2016 169 169 0
2015 153 153 0
2014 169 169 0
2013 158 158 0
2012 143 143 0
2011 181 181 0
2010 195 195 0
2009 227 227 0
2008 182 182 0
2007 244 244 0
2006 221 221 0
2005 227 227 0
2004 214 214 0
2003 307 307 0
2002 227 227 0
2001 237 237 0
2000 188 188 0
1999 178 178 0
1998 215 215 0
1997 222 222 0
1996 225 225 0
1995 212 212 0
1994 186 186 0
1993 205 205 0
1992 236 236 0
1991 210 210 0
1990 215 215 0
1989 167 167 0
1988 168 168 0
1987 160 160 0
1986 149 149 0
1985 140 140 0
1984 163 163 0
1983 150 150 0
1982 151 151 0
1981 157 157 0
1980 167 162 5
1979 191 191 0
1978 166 166 0
1977 176 176 0
1976 184 184 0
1975 192 187 5
1974 222 222 0
1973 209 209 0
1972 245 245 0
1971 271 271 0
1970 286 286 0
1969 300 300 0
1968 307 307 0
1967 312 306 6
1966 324 319 5
1965 376 376 0
1964 395 389 6
1963 414 409 5
1962 439 434 5
1961 478 478 0
1960 524 515 9
1959 538 529 9
1958 559 549 10
1957 668 660 8
1956 662 656 6
1955 721 714 7
1954 680 673 7
1953 697 688 9
1952 773 761 12
1951 855 842 13
1950 821 809 12
1949 886 866 20
1948 987 971 16
1947 1,010 997 13
1946 1,057 1,046 11
1945 984 969 15
1944 1,087 1,069 18
1943 1,326 1,311 15
1942 1,246 1,228 18
1941 1,218 1,202 16
1940 1,233 1,220 13
1939 1,352 1,327 25
1938 1,354 1,332 22
1937 1,438 1,413 25
1936 1,448 1,412 36
1935 1,620 1,592 28
1934 1,745 1,709 36
1933 1,816 1,787 29
1932 2,093 2,058 35
1931 2,301 2,265 36
1930 2,519 2,476 43
1929 2,748 2,697 51
1928 3,044 2,977 67
1927 3,259 3,205 54
1926 3,293 3,233 60
1925 3,407 3,356 51
1924 3,779 3,731 48
1923 3,674 3,630 44
1922 3,789 3,738 51
1921 4,202 4,146 56
1920 4,254 4,206 48
1919 4,035 3,982 53
1918 4,416 4,373 43
1917 3,860 3,812 48
1916 3,979 3,936 43
1915 3,846 3,802 44
1914 2,907 2,878 29
1913 2,354 2,323 31
1912 1,867 1,840 27
1911 916 894 22
1910 777 760 17
1909 715 687 28
1908 711 689 22
1907 625 616 9
1906 608 598 10
1905 623 602 21
1904 631 620 11
1903 568 556 12
1902 582 574 8
1901 529 520 9
1900 717 699 18
1899 520 514 6
1898 596 583 13
1897 595 587 8
1896 586 576 10
1895 615 610 5
1894 587 575 12
1893 586 574 12
1892 603 592 11
1891 516 508 8
1890 537 528 9
1889 563 557 6
1888 527 527 0
1887 467 467 0
1886 485 485 0
1885 452 443 9
1884 523 523 0
1883 423 423 0
1882 441 441 0
1881 388 388 0
1880 373 373 0

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. 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
PA 25
19%
TX 18
14%
CA 11
8%
GA 10
8%
IN 10
8%
NY 8
6%
NJ 8
6%
FL 7
5%
KY 7
5%
MD 7
5%
TN 6
5%
AZ 5
4%
OH 5
4%
IA 5
4%