How Many People Are Named Elmer?
Complete statistics for the name Elmer: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Elmer, a very rare male name, stands out with only 1 in 12,770 Americans bearing it today, totaling 25,841 people. The majority, 91%, are over 60, making it a name strongly associated with older generations.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Traditionally, the life-path number 8 symbolizes power, authority, and success.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 96All 130,796 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1918Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Slowly declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Elmer Through the Generations
Elmer has seen its peak popularity in 1918 when 4,416 babies were named Elmer, marking a significant moment in the name's history. Over the decades, the name has slowly declined, reflecting a shift away from its classic, old-school charm. Today, the age distribution reveals a stark contrast, with 5,306 under-30, 6,446 aged 30-60, and an overwhelming 119,044 over 60, indicating a strong preference among older generations.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Elmer's Old English roots
📄 About the Name Elmer
How Many People Have the Name Elmer?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 5,555 people in the United States currently share the name Elmer. That works out to roughly 1 in every 59,667 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Elmer a Common or Rare Name?
Elmer is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Elmer in SSA data, approximately 99% are male and 1% are female.
When Was Elmer Most Popular?
The name Elmer reached peak popularity in 1918, with 4,416 babies registered that year. Current trend: Slowly declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Elmer?
Approximately 5,555 people named Elmer live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 5,555. That works out to roughly 1 in 59,667 Americans.
Is Elmer a rare name?
Elmer is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 59,667 Americans has this name.
What does the name Elmer mean?
The meaning and origin of Elmer are shown in the Meaning & Origin section on this page.
Is Elmer more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 99% of people named Elmer are male and 1% are female.
When was Elmer most popular?
Elmer peaked in 1918 with 4,416 births that year. Current trend: Slowly declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.