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

Popularity of Elmo by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Elmo is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Elmo.

The history of the first name Elmo

The name Elmo has its origins in the Germanic languages, derived from the Old German words "alja" meaning "other" and "muot" meaning "courage" or "spirit." The combination of these words formed the name "Ellemoet" or "Elmo," which can be interpreted as "foreign courage" or "strange spirit."

In the early medieval period, the name Elmo was prevalent among the Germanic tribes of central and northern Europe. It was commonly used by the Franks, Saxons, and other Germanic peoples during the 6th to 8th centuries AD. The name's popularity spread as these tribes migrated and established settlements across Europe.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Elmo can be found in the Ecclesiastical History of the English People, written by the Venerable Bede in the 8th century. Bede mentions an individual named Elmo who was a prominent figure in the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Elmo was associated with several notable figures. Saint Elmo, also known as Saint Erasmus or Saint Elmo, was a Christian martyr who lived in the 3rd century AD and is revered as the patron saint of sailors. The phenomenon of St. Elmo's Fire, a weather phenomenon involving luminous plasma, is named after him.

In the 11th century, Elmo de Monforten was a French knight who fought in the First Crusade and participated in the capture of Jerusalem in 1099. Another notable bearer of the name was Elmo von Hutten, a German knight and poet who lived in the 15th century and was known for his satirical works criticizing the Catholic Church.

During the Renaissance period, Elmo Biliotti was an Italian painter and architect active in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. He is best known for his work on the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence and his frescoes in the church of Santa Maria Novella.

In the 19th century, Elmo Lincoln was an American actor and film producer, best remembered for portraying the title role in the 1918 silent film "Tarzan of the Apes." He was born in 1889 and passed away in 1952.

While the name Elmo has maintained a presence throughout history, it has become less common in modern times, especially in English-speaking countries. However, it continues to be used in various forms and variations across different cultures and languages.

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 Elmo was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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