Find out how popular the first name Elmer has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Elmer by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Elmer is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Elmer being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 139 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Elmer.

The history of the first name Elmer

The name Elmer has its origins in the Old English language, derived from the elements "elf" and "mær," meaning "elf" and "famous." It first emerged in the 7th or 8th century and was initially used to refer to someone with elf-like qualities or characteristics.

In ancient Germanic mythology, elves were believed to be supernatural beings with magical powers and a close connection to nature. The name Elmer may have been given to individuals who were perceived as possessing these enchanting or mystical attributes.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Elmer can be found in the Domesday Book, a historical record commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The book lists several individuals with the name, suggesting it was in use among the Anglo-Saxon population at that time.

Throughout history, there have been several notable figures who bore the name Elmer. One of the most famous was Elmer Gantry, a fictional character created by American writer Sinclair Lewis in his 1927 novel of the same name. The novel satirized the hypocrisy and corruption within the evangelical Christian movement of the 1920s.

Another prominent Elmer was Elmer Ellsworth, an American military officer and the first Union casualty of the American Civil War. He was born in 1837 and was killed in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1861 while removing a Confederate flag from a hotel.

In the realm of sports, Elmer Flick was a professional baseball player who played for the Philadelphia Phillies and Cleveland Naps (now the Cleveland Guardians) in the early 20th century. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1963 for his exceptional batting skills.

The world of literature also had its own Elmer in the form of Elmer Rice, an American playwright and novelist born in 1892. He is best known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Street Scene" (1929), which depicted the lives of a diverse group of residents living in a New York City tenement.

Lastly, Elmer Ambrose Sperry was an American inventor and entrepreneur born in 1860. He is credited with developing the gyroscopic compass and the first practical autopilot for ships and aircraft, making significant contributions to the field of navigation and transportation.

While the name Elmer may have originated from mythological roots, it has been borne by individuals from various walks of life throughout history, leaving an indelible mark on fields ranging from literature and sports to military service and technological innovation.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Elmer was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Elmer, please contact us.

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