Elsie is a charming and unique name of English origin that has been used for centuries. It is derived from the Germanic name Adelheidis, which means "noble" or " Mobility". The name was popularized by the French form of the name, Adélaïde.
The name Elsie became particularly popular in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It reached its peak popularity in the 1910s when it ranked within the top 100 most popular names for girls. Today, while not as common as it once was, Elsie continues to be a beloved choice among parents looking for a vintage-inspired name with a touch of charm.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Elsie. These include Elsie MacGill, a Canadian aeronautical engineer who is often referred to as the "Queen of Avionics," and Elsie Wright, one of the two young girls whose photograph of the Cottingley Fairies became famous in the early 20th century.
Overall, the name Elsie offers a delightful blend of vintage charm and modern appeal. Its meanings of nobility and mobility make it an excellent choice for parents seeking a meaningful name with a touch of history behind it.
Based on the statistics provided, we can see that the name Elsie has had a fascinating journey of popularity over the years in the United States.
The name first began to gain traction around the late 19th century, with a significant increase in births occurring between 1887 and 1894. During this period, the number of newborn girls named Elsie more than doubled, rising from 833 births in 1887 to 1795 births in 1895.
This trend continued throughout the early 20th century, reaching a peak in popularity during the years 1912 to 1916. During this time, more than 4900 girls were named Elsie each year on average, with a record high of 5027 births occurring in 1916.
However, like many other names, Elsie's popularity began to decline after the 1920s. Between 1925 and 1935, the number of newborn girls named Elsie decreased by more than half, falling from over 4000 births per year to fewer than 2000.
This downward trend continued throughout much of the mid-20th century, with fewer than 300 girls being named Elsie each year on average between 1965 and 1985. However, there were brief periods of resurgence during this time, notably in 1979 (with 129 births) and 1985 (with 130 births).
In recent years, the name Elsie has seen a significant revival in popularity. Since 2004, the number of newborn girls named Elsie has more than quadrupled, rising from just over 200 births that year to a record high of 1749 births in 2023.
In total, based on the data provided, there have been 185,903 births of the name Elsie in the United States since 1880. This remarkable journey of popularity serves as a testament to the enduring appeal and timelessness of this beautiful name.