The nameElsie
Elsie is a Scottish pet form of Elizabeth. Fashionable around 1900, it has made a strong comeback in England and Wales.
- Girl's name
- Scottish
Meaning
Elsie comes from Elspeth, the Scottish form of Elizabeth, from the Hebrew Elisheva, "my God is an oath".
Origin
Scottish, then English. It became a name in its own right in the 19th century.
History
Elsie was in the American top 100 from 1880 to 1933. In England and Wales it came back from the 2000s and reached eighth place in 2025, its best rank since 1996.
Did you know?
- During the First World War the Scottish doctor Elsie Inglis founded the Scottish Women's Hospitals, run entirely by women.
Famous people named Elsie
- Elsie Inglis, doctor and suffragist
- Elsie de Wolfe, interior decorator
- Elsie Fisher, actress
Popularity of the name Elsie
Elsie in the United States
Elsie was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 42,328 births over the decade, 22% of all recorded babies named Elsie. Its rise began around 1884, and it peaked in 1918. Half of all babies named Elsie in the United States were born before 1922, although it is popular again today. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 1,567 births a year on average, against 1,080 in the five years before.
Elsie in the United Kingdom
Elsie was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 13,893 births over the decade, 51% of all recorded babies named Elsie. Its rise began around 2007, and it peaked in 2018. Half of all babies named Elsie in the United Kingdom were born before 2018, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 1,901 births a year.
Elsie in Ireland
Elsie in France
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Elsie
Names from the same generation as Elsie, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Elsie? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Elsie with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Elsie side by side with the name of your choice.
Elsie in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Elsie mean?
Elsie comes from Elspeth, the Scottish form of Elizabeth, from the Hebrew Elisheva, "my God is an oath".
What is the origin of the name Elsie?
Scottish, then English. It became a name in its own right in the 19th century.
Is Elsie a girl's or a boy's name?
Elsie is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Elsie?
In 2024, Elsie was the 155th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 1,901 births.
What are the variants of the name Elsie?
Variants and related names of Elsie include Elizabeth.
What are good sibling names for Elsie?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Myla, June, Catalina and Olive for a sister, Milan, Leon, Rory and Bennett for a brother.
Who are famous people named Elsie?
Elsie Inglis, doctor and suffragist; Elsie de Wolfe, interior decorator; Elsie Fisher, actress.