"elder tree forest"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Elwood
Pronunciation: [ EHLW-ood ]
Does Elwood flow with your last name?
Where ancient forest meets timeless cool
English
American
Vintage
Nature
Quirky
Androgynous
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Elwood
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Elwood
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Elwood
See all →What the Elwood report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Elwood the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Elwood
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Elwood head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Elwood actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Elwood
Elwood is an Old English place name and surname turned given name, derived from ellern or ellærn (the elder tree — a sacred and medicinal plant in European tradition) combined with wudu meaning forest or wood. An Elwood is literally a forest of elder trees. The name evokes a wooded landscape rich with ancient herbal lore, as elder trees have been revered across European cultures for their medicinal and magical properties for millennia.
Elwood peaked in American popularity for boys in the 1910s-1930s. It received a major cultural boost from The Blues Brothers (1980), where Dan Aykroyd's character Elwood Blues became an iconic cinematic figure. Today it appeals to parents seeking vintage nature-adjacent names with an unexpected cool factor.
The elder tree holds a storied place in European folklore — associated with the Norse goddess Freya, sacred in Celtic tradition where it was considered protective and magical, and prominent in Germanic folk medicine. Elwood as a name carries this ancient arboreal reverence into modern life.
Fun Facts
- The elder tree was considered so sacred in many European traditions that cutting one down without asking permission was thought to bring bad luck
- Elwood Blues, played by Dan Aykroyd in The Blues Brothers, became one of cinema's most beloved characters and helped bring the name back into cultural consciousness
Elwood in Other Languages
French
Elwood
German
Elwood
Spanish
Elwood
Japanese
Eruwuddo
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Patia
Girl
"from the Patia river region of Colombia"
#16,872
Esterine
Girl
"myrtle tree (Hadassah variant)"
#17,039
Walcie
Girl
"From Wales; a foreigner or stranger"
#17,143
Polli
Girl
"star of the sea, beloved"
#17,169
Bobette
Girl
"bright fame"
#17,116
Compare Elwood with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #17,068
- Total SSA Count
- 8
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
El
Ellie
Woody
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
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, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Elwood
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Elwood fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Elwood is also used as a boy name, ranked #2135.
View Elwood as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Elwood →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Elwood with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Elwood
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Elwood and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Elwood sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Patia
Girl
Spanish/Geographic origin
"from the Patia river region of Colombia"
#16,872 in US
Esterine
Girl
Hebrew origin
"myrtle tree (Hadassah variant)"
#17,039 in US
Walcie
Girl
Old English origin
"From Wales; a foreigner or stranger"
#17,143 in US
Polli
Girl
Hebrew/Latin origin
"star of the sea, beloved"
#17,169 in US
Bobette
Girl
Old High German via French origin
"bright fame"
#17,116 in US
Rovella
Girl
Italian (rovo = bramble + -ella diminutive) origin
"little bramble; of the thornbush; pos..."
#16,998 in US
Stelle
Girl
Latin via Italian origin
"star, stars"
#17,267 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Elwood's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elwood
What does the name Elwood mean?
"elder tree forest" (from Old English). Elwood is an Old English place name and surname turned given name, derived from ellern or ellærn (the elder tree — a sacred and medicinal plant in European tradition) combined with wudu meaning forest or wood. An Elwood is literally a forest of elder trees. The name evokes a wooded landscape rich with ancient herbal lore, as elder trees have been revered across European cultures for their medicinal and magical properties for millennia.
What is the origin of the name Elwood?
Elwood has Old English, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "elder tree forest".
Is Elwood a boy or girl name?
Elwood is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #17068. As a boy name, it is ranked #2135. 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 #17068 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Elwood?
Common nicknames for Elwood include Ellie and Woody.
What are good middle names for Elwood?
Popular middle name pairings include Elwood Rose, Elwood Jane, Elwood Mae, Elwood Grace, and Elwood Sue.
What are good sibling names for Elwood?
Names that pair well with Elwood as siblings include Hazel, Forrest, Birch, Violet, and Jasper.
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 #17068 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Elwood
Elwood is a girl name with English and American origins . The name means "elder tree forest" in Old English .
Is Elwood a boy or girl name? Elwood is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #17,068 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #2,135. Elwood is more commonly used as a boy name.
Elwood is currently ranked #17,068 in popularity for girl 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, Ellie, and Woody. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Old English Names
Browse all names with this origin
E
Names Starting with E
More girl names like Elwood
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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