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Elmo Unisex

Popularity: · Trend: → Stable

Origin(s)

PronunciationEL-mo / ˈɛlmoʊ

Italian; Spanish

Meaning

Italian: 'the helmeted one'; Spanish: diminutive of 'Elías'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Elmo has its roots in the Old High German name "Helm", which means "helmet" or "protection". This name evolved through various linguistic stages, transitioning into the Latin form "Aldhelm" and later into the Italian "Elmo". The name made its way into English through the influence of Italian and Germanic languages, particularly during the medieval period when names were often adapted and adopted across cultures. The phonetic structure of Elmo reflects a common practice in name formation where elements of protection or safety are emphasized, aligning with its original meaning.

Historically, the name Elmo is associated with Saint Elmo, a Christian martyr from the early centuries of the Church, who is often invoked by sailors for protection during storms. His feast day is celebrated on June 2nd, and he is recognized in various Christian traditions. The name gained further prominence through the legend of "St. Elmo's Fire," a weather phenomenon that sailors believed to be a sign of the saint's presence, thus reinforcing the name's connection to safety and guidance at sea. The name has also appeared in various literary works and folklore, contributing to its cultural resonance.

In addition to its historical and religious significance, Elmo has been embraced in popular culture, particularly through the character Elmo from the children's television show "Sesame Street," which first aired in the 1960s. This character, known for his friendly demeanor and educational content, has helped to solidify the name's association with warmth and approachability. The enduring nature of the name Elmo can be attributed to its strong historical roots, cultural associations with protection, and its presence in both religious and popular narratives.

Trend Summary

Elmo has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, particularly influenced by the character from 'Sesame Street'.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Elmus
  • Elmoe

International Variants

  • Elmo (Italian)
  • Elmo (Spanish)

Famous people named Elmo

Elmo is a character best known for Sesame Street and Elmo's World.

Fictional characters named Elmo

Elmo is a fictional character from the children's television show Sesame Street. He is a friendly, red monster known for his high-pitched voice and love of learning.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Elmo was first seen in the United States in 1880. Elmo has ranked as high as #540 nationally, which occurred in 1920, and has been most popular in Texas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Virginia, and Oklahoma. In the past 5 years the name Elmo has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Elmo (1994)

StateBirthsShare
TX 6
100%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188015
18819
188219
188316
188412
188514
188612
18878
188817
188913
189012
189115
189214
189316
189412
189526
189623
189721
189832
189920
190040
190129
190227
190327
190427
190527
190650
190758
190851
190980
191086
1911104
1912169
1913197
1914247
1915286
1916363
1917366
1918334
1919324
1920397
1921370
1922317
1923338
1924313
1925273
1926243
1927235
1928235
1929170
1930183
1931137
1932158
1933150
1934138
1935148
1936144
1937128
1938137
1939113
1940103
1941115
1942125
1943121
1944116
194578
194699
1947100
194894
194971
195076
195186
195265
195370
195481
195571
195663
195766
195853
195960
196048
196151
196242
196338
196446
196528
196630
196731
196827
196935
197024
197119
197228
197319
197418
197520
197627
197717
197815
197915
19809
198116
198213
198318
198415
198512
198614
198714
198814
19896
199010
199112
19929
19938
199418
19967
19978
19987
19996
200111
20037
20095
20135
20216
20235