"woodland near the elder trees"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Elwood
Pronunciation: [ EHLW-ood ]
Does Elwood flow with your last name?
A vintage woodland name ripe for rediscovery
American
English
Vintage
Earthy
Strong
Traditional
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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The Story of Elwood
Elwood derives from an Old English place name meaning elder tree wood or forest of elder trees. The element el- comes from Old English ellern meaning elder tree, combined with wudu meaning wood or forest. As an English surname and then given name, it carries the pastoral quality of many English nature-based place names.
Elwood was most popular in the United States from the 1880s through the 1940s, peaking as a distinctly American name with a down-home quality. It faded significantly by the 1970s but is now being rediscovered by parents seeking authentic vintage names beyond the more common choices.
Elwood carries the American Midwest and rural South flavor of an era when nature-inspired surnames became first names. The name Jake Elwood from The Blues Brothers helped keep cultural awareness of the name alive in popular consciousness.
Historical Record
Elwood first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 4,020 babies have been named Elwood in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Elwood is past its peak , currently ranked #2,135 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Elwood Blues is the memorable character played by Dan Aykroyd in The Blues Brothers
- Elder trees were considered sacred in many European folk traditions for their magical properties
- Elwood was a top-200 boys name in the US during the early 20th century
Elwood in Other Languages
French
Elwood
German
Elwood
Spanish
Elwood
Popularity Over Time
#2,135
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1951
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Elwood
E
Elwood Quesada
Military
1904
US Air Force general who led tactical air operations in World War II
E
Elwood Haynes
Engineer
1857
American inventor who built one of the first gasoline-powered automobiles in the United States
E
Elwood Blues Fictional
Musician
Fictional character played by Dan Aykroyd in The Blues Brothers film and sketches
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,135
- Total SSA Count
- 69
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
El
Woody
Wood
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Elwood
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Elwood is also used as a girl name, ranked #17068.
View Elwood as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Elwood
What does the name Elwood mean?
"woodland near the elder trees" (from Old English). Elwood derives from an Old English place name meaning elder tree wood or forest of elder trees. The element el- comes from Old English ellern meaning elder tree, combined with wudu meaning wood or forest. As an English surname and then given name, it carries the pastoral quality of many English nature-based place names.
What is the origin of the name Elwood?
Elwood has Old English, American, and English origins. In Old English, it means "woodland near the elder trees".
Is Elwood a boy or girl name?
Elwood is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2135. As a girl name, it is ranked #17068. Elwood is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Elwood?
Elwood is pronounced EHLW-ood.
How popular is the name Elwood?
Elwood is currently ranked #2135 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Elwood?
Common nicknames for Elwood include Woody and Wood.
What are good middle names for Elwood?
Popular middle name pairings include Elwood James, Elwood Henry, Elwood Thomas, Elwood Ray, Elwood Dale, and Elwood Lee.
What are good sibling names for Elwood?
Names that pair well with Elwood as siblings include Harwood, Clifton, Mildred, Hazel, Walter, and Vera.
How many syllables does Elwood have?
Elwood has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Elwood a common or rare name?
Elwood is an uncommon name, ranked #2135 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Elwood
Elwood is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "woodland near the elder trees" in Old English .
Is Elwood a boy or girl name? Elwood is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,135 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #17,068. Elwood is more commonly used as a boy name.
Elwood is currently ranked #2,135 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Elwood has 2 syllables and is pronounced EHLW-ood, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Elwood include El, Woody, and Wood. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis