The name Elam has its origins in the ancient Semitic languages of the Middle East. It is believed to be derived from the Akkadian word "elamu," which means "highland" or "high country." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with people who lived in the mountainous regions of present-day Iran and Iraq.

Elam was also the name of an ancient civilization that flourished in the region of modern-day southwestern Iran from around 2700 BCE to 539 BCE. The Elamites were a powerful and influential people who had their own distinct language and culture. The biblical book of Genesis mentions Elam as one of the sons of Shem, the son of Noah, further indicating the name's ancient Semitic roots.

One of the earliest recorded historical figures with the name Elam was Elam, the son of Shemaiah, a Benjamite mentioned in the Old Testament (1 Chronicles 8:24). In the Book of Ezra, Elam is also mentioned as the name of a town or region where some Israelites lived after their return from the Babylonian captivity (Ezra 2:7, 31).

During the Middle Ages, the name Elam was relatively uncommon, but it did appear in some historical records. Elam of St. Albans was an English Benedictine monk and historian who lived in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. He is known for writing a chronicle of events in England during his lifetime.

In more recent times, Elam Ferguson (1805-1891) was an American politician and lawyer who served as the 14th Governor of Washington Territory from 1870 to 1872. Elam Bartholomew (1822-1900) was an American architect who designed several notable buildings in Cincinnati, Ohio, including the Old City Hall and the Cincinnati Opera House.

Another notable figure with the name Elam was Elam J. Harry (1857-1936), an American businessman and philanthropist who co-founded the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in the United States. Elam Samuel Ingraham (1840-1905) was an American naval officer who served in the Union Navy during the American Civil War and later became a rear admiral.

While not as common today as it once was, the name Elam has a rich historical background rooted in the ancient cultures of the Middle East. Its association with the biblical figure of Elam and the ancient Elamite civilization has given the name a sense of enduring significance throughout the ages.