Elmer

“Noble, famous” — Old English origin

Boy's name · #1223 in the US (2025) · Heirloom

Elmer belongs to an older America first — it reached #32 back in 1893 — yet it still appears in today's records at #1223. About 130,000 boys have carried it since 1880. In all that time it has never once missed a year of the national records. Elmo is a short form of Elmer.

Around the world: #39 in Denmark (2025) · #46 in Finland (Swedish-sp.) (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 16 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Elmers

Elmer Bernstein — American composer and conductor (1922-2004)
Elmer Rice — American playwright (1892–1967)
Elmer Drew Merrill — U.S. botanist (1876–1956)
Elmer Niklander — athletics competitor (1890–1942)
Elmer McCollum — American biochemist (1879-1967)

In stories & tradition

Elmer Fudd — Looney Tunes
Elmer Elephant — Elmer Elephant
Elmer the Great Dane — Oswald the Lucky Rabbit

What Elmers become

Among 559 notable people named Elmer:

Political leaders appear 1.65× more often than among typical names — e.g. Elmer Austin Benson, American politician (1895-1985).

Similar names: Luther · Eliott · Will · Lester · Warner · Chester

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

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