Elease
Feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly a variant of Elizabeth or Eliza.
Name Census estimates that about 816 living Americans carry the first name Elease. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Elease today is around 66 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Elease births was 1923 (97 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Elease. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Elease is about 66 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Eleases were born before 1970.
People living today
816
~ 1 in 420,042 Americans
Peak year
1923
97 babies that year
Average age
66
years old
2021 SSA rank
#15,923
Tracked since 1895
Popularity
Elease: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Elease from the 1890s through to the 2020s, spanning 14 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1920s, with 805 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1920s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Elease by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Elease during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Eleases live
The SSA's state-level files cover 11 states and territories. South Carolina, Georgia, Florida recorded the most babies named Elease, while Illinois, Texas, New York recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 162 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Elease
The name Elease is a unique and intriguing moniker with roots dating back to ancient times. Its origins can be traced to the Greek language, where it is believed to have derived from the word "eleutheros," which translates to "free" or "liberated." This connection suggests that the name may have been bestowed upon individuals who were born into freedom or had achieved a sense of personal liberation.
During the Byzantine era, the name Elease gained prominence among the upper echelons of society. Historical records indicate that it was particularly favored by noble families, who saw it as a symbol of their privileged status and freedom from the constraints imposed on the lower classes. One notable bearer of this name was Lady Elease of Trebizond, a influential noblewoman who lived in the 12th century and was known for her patronage of the arts and intellectual pursuits.
As the name Elease spread across various regions, it underwent slight variations in spelling and pronunciation. In ancient Persia, for instance, it was recorded as "Elaiza," while in certain parts of the Mediterranean, it took the form of "Elaysa." These regional adaptations reflect the cultural diversity and linguistic nuances that shaped the name over time.
The annals of history also reveal instances where the name Elease was associated with figures of religious significance. One such figure was Saint Elease of Verona, a 6th-century Christian martyr who was revered for her unwavering faith and sacrifices. Her life's story inspired generations of believers and solidified the name's association with spiritual freedom and devotion.
In the realm of literature, the name Elease found its way into the works of renowned authors. One notable example is the character of Lady Elease in the epic poem "The Faerie Queene" by Edmund Spenser, published in 1590. This fictional lady embodied the virtues of grace, beauty, and nobility, further enhancing the name's connotations of refinement and elegance.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Elease, leaving their marks on various fields. One such figure was Elease Forsythe (1890-1978), a pioneering American actress and dancer who graced the stages of Broadway in the early 20th century. Another was Elease McDougall (1925-2007), a Canadian artist renowned for her vibrant abstract paintings and contributions to the contemporary art scene.
While the name Elease may not be as common today as it once was, its rich historical tapestry and evocative meanings continue to captivate and inspire. From ancient Greek roots to literary references and notable bearers, this name carries a remarkable legacy that transcends time and cultural boundaries, embodying the spirit of freedom, nobility, and personal liberation.
People
Elease + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Elease as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with E
Other first names starting with E with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Elease: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Elease?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 816 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Elease going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 420,042 US residents.
Is Elease a common name?
We classify Elease as "Very Rare". It ranks above 88.7% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 3,047 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Elease most popular?
The single biggest year for Elease was 1923, when 97 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Elease is about 66 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Elease a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Elease in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.