Elmo is a name of Spanish origin, derived from the word "el hombre," which means "the man." However, it is important to note that this name has gained significant popularity due to its association with the popular children's television show Sesame Street, where Elmo is a beloved character.
The name Elmo was first used as a given name in the United States during the early 20th century. It became more widespread after the introduction of the Muppet character Elmo on Sesame Street in 1969. Since then, it has been widely recognized and associated with the lovable, furry red monster who is known for his playful personality and high-pitched voice.
Elmo is typically used as a boy's name, but it can also be given to girls. It is often chosen by parents who want to give their child a unique and memorable name that is easy to pronounce and remember. The name Elmo has been particularly popular in the United States, where it has consistently ranked among the top 1000 names for boys since the late 20th century.
Despite its association with the Sesame Street character, the name Elmo does not have any specific meaning or symbolism beyond its Spanish origins. It is simply a name that has been popularized by pop culture and has become associated with a beloved children's character. However, for those who choose to name their child Elmo, they may be drawn to the idea of giving them a name that is playful, friendly, and instantly recognizable.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Elmo has seen varied popularity in the United States over the past century and a half.
In the late 19th century, the number of babies named Elmo ranged from a low of 8 births in 1887 to a high of 26 births in 1895. This trend continued into the early 20th century, with peaks such as 50 births in 1906 and 80 births in 1909.
The name Elmo reached its peak popularity between 1910 and 1924, with a total of over 2,300 babies named Elmo during this period. The highest single year was 1916, with 363 births. This decade also marked the highest consecutive years of popularity for the name Elmo, with over 100 births each year from 1910 to 1920.
After 1924, the popularity of the name Elmo began to decline steadily. Between 1925 and 1965, the number of babies named Elmo ranged between 38 and 86 per year, with an average of around 50 births per year during this period.
From the mid-1960s onwards, the name Elmo's popularity continued to decline. Between 1966 and 2023, there were fewer than 50 babies named Elmo each year, with some years seeing as few as 5 births. The most recent data available shows that in 2021 and 2023, there were 6 and 5 births of the name Elmo respectively.
In total, over the period from 1880 to 2023, there have been approximately 10,091 babies named Elmo in the United States. While the name has seen varying popularity over time, it remains a unique and distinctive choice for parents looking for a classic yet uncommon name for their child.