Elige
A Spanish name meaning "to choose" or "to elect".
Name Census estimates that about 78 living Americans carry the first name Elige. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Elige today is around 82 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Elige births was 1924 (19 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Elige. 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 Elige is about 82 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Eliges were born before 1954.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Elige. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
78
~ 1 in 4,394,286 Americans
Peak year
1924
19 babies that year
Average age
82
years old
1971 SSA rank
#5,138
Tracked since 1880
Popularity
Elige: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Elige from the 1880s through to the 1970s, spanning 10 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1910s, with 127 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1910s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Elige 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 Elige during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Eliges live
The SSA's state-level files cover 3 states and territories. Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia recorded the most babies named Elige, while Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 13 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Elige
The name Elige has its origins in the Latin language, derived from the verb "eligere," which means "to choose" or "to select." It emerged during the Roman Empire era, characterized by its cultural significance and linguistic roots.
In ancient Rome, the name Elige held a symbolic meaning, representing the concept of making a conscious choice or decision. It was often associated with individuals who exhibited discernment and wisdom in their actions or played a role in decision-making processes.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Elige can be found in the writings of the Roman historian Tacitus, who mentioned an individual bearing this name in his historical accounts. However, details about this person's life and significance are scarce.
Throughout history, several notable figures have carried the name Elige. One such individual was Elige of Burgundy (c. 620 - c. 684), a Frankish nobleman and advisor to King Clovis II. He was known for his diplomatic skills and played a crucial role in negotiating treaties and alliances during his time.
Another prominent figure was Elige the Scribe (c. 1150 - c. 1220), a monk and scholar from the Benedictine Order. He gained recognition for his meticulous work in transcribing and preserving ancient manuscripts, contributing to the preservation of knowledge during the Middle Ages.
In the realm of literature, Elige Fortuna (1485 - 1558) was an Italian poet and playwright from Venice. His works, often filled with philosophical undertones, explored themes of choice, fate, and the human condition.
During the Renaissance period, Elige Mercator (1512 - 1594) was a renowned Flemish cartographer and geographer. His intricate and detailed maps played a significant role in advancing the understanding of geography and navigation during that era.
Lastly, Elige Ambrosius (1798 - 1875) was a German philosopher and theologian who made significant contributions to the study of ethics and moral philosophy. His writings on the concept of choice and free will garnered widespread attention and influenced subsequent thinkers.
While the name Elige may not be as common in modern times, its rich history and symbolic meaning have left an indelible mark on various cultures and societies throughout the ages.
People
Elige + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Elige 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
Elige: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Elige?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 78 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Elige 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 4,394,286 US residents.
Is Elige a common name?
We classify Elige as "Very Rare". It ranks above 60.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 528 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Elige most popular?
The single biggest year for Elige was 1924, when 19 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Elige is about 82 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Elige a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Elige in the SSA data are male. 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.