Elspeth is a beautiful and unique name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish Gaelic name "Ùileasbeatha," which means "pledged to God." The name has been used in Scotland for centuries, with its earliest known usage dating back to the 12th century.
The name Elspeth was particularly popular among the nobility and gentry of Scotland during the Middle Ages. It is believed that the name gained prominence due to its association with several prominent historical figures. One such figure is Elspeth Graham, who was a member of the powerful Graham clan and married Alexander Seton, the Earl of Winton.
Over time, the name Elspeth has become more commonly used throughout Scotland and beyond. Today, it is still considered to be a distinctly Scottish name but can be found in various parts of the world. Despite its popularity, Elspeth remains a unique and distinctive choice for a girl's name.
Elspeth is a unique and uncommon name in the United States, with its popularity fluctuating over the years. Between 1914 and 2023, there have been a total of 885 births registered with the name Elspeth.
The name first appeared in the records in 1914 with five births that year, followed by another five in 1916. The number of births then increased to six in both 1917 and 1920 before dropping back down to five in 1921. There was a slight increase in the number of births between 1925 and 1932, with seven births each year.
However, the popularity of the name began to decline in the late 1930s and continued to fluctuate throughout the mid-twentieth century. The number of births decreased significantly in the 1940s, with only six births each year between 1942 and 1944.
The lowest point for Elspeth's popularity was in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with as few as five births recorded in some years. However, there was a sudden increase in popularity in the mid-1980s, with 34 births recorded in 1982 and another 39 in 1984.
Despite this spike in popularity, the name remained relatively uncommon throughout the late twentieth century. Between 1990 and 2000, there were fewer than ten births each year on average.
However, Elspeth's popularity began to rise again in the early 2000s, with a total of 16 births recorded in 2003 alone. This trend continued throughout the decade, with a peak of 24 births recorded in 2020.
In recent years, Elspeth has remained relatively popular, with between ten and twenty births each year. In 2023 so far, there have been twelve births registered with the name Elspeth.
Overall, while Elspeth is not one of the most popular names in the United States, its popularity has varied over the years, with periods of both increase and decrease. Despite this, it remains a unique and distinctive name that continues to be chosen by parents for their daughters today.