Elwood

Meaning: Elf rule
Origin: English surname

Boy's name · #1921 in the US (2025) · Comeback

Popularity over time

Elwood was #204 in 1915, slipped to #11214 by 2002, and has climbed back to #1921 today. About 21,000 boys have carried it since 1880. In all that time it has never once missed a year of the national records.

Across the states

See where Elwood is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 2 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Elwood ranks in other countries and regions.

#1,705 in England & Wales (2025) · #2,269 in Canada (2025) · #5,317 in Ecuador (2008) · #2,123 in France (1991).

Famous Elwoods

Elwood Francis — American guitar tech and bassist (born 1962)
Elwood Haynes — American inventor (1857–1925)
Elwood Edwards — American voice actor (1949–2024)
Elwood Richard Quesada — United States Air Force general (1904–1993)
Elwood Reid — American writer (born 1966)

In stories & tradition

Elwood Blues — The Blues Brothers (film)

What Elwoods become

Among 72 notable people named Elwood:

Lawyers & judges appear 2.13× more often than among typical names — e.g. Elwood Evans, Lawyer and politician of the Pacific Northwest, pioneer historian of the U.S. state of Washington (1828–1898).

Similar names: Woodrow · Elton · Wayland · Harland · Elvin · Everette

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service