Elwood

At a Glance

Meaning

Elf power / ruled by elves

Origin

English (from the Middle English personal name Elwald, Old English ælf 'elf' + weald 'rule, power')

Gender

Boy

Pronunciation

EL-woodListen

Elwood is a name for a boy rooted in Old English, where ælf ('elf') and weald ('rule, power') combine to mean 'elf power' — not elder trees or forests, despite a popular claim you may have seen. It has a free-spirited, nature-loving feel, and it's pronounced EL-wood (/ˈɛlwʊd/).

Meaning & Origin of Elwood

Meaning: Elf power / ruled by elves.

Origin: English (from the Middle English personal name Elwald, Old English ælf 'elf' + weald 'rule, power').

A common claim: elder tree forest Actually: This is a folk etymology based on reading the modern spelling as 'elder' + 'wood' — the actual Old English roots (ælf 'elf' + weald 'rule') point to a meaning closer to 'elf power', unrelated to trees or forests.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Elwood

Popularity of Elwood

Elwood peaked in 1915, when it ranked #204 and was given to 529 boys; by 2024 it had fallen to #2134, with just 69 boys given the name.

Names Like Elwood

Names with a similar style, era, origin or popularity history.

• Alder
• Birch
• Cedar
• Crane
• Finch
• Roscoe

FAQ

What does the name Elwood mean?

Elf power / ruled by elves. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Elwood?

Elwood is pronounced EL-wood (IPA: /ˈɛlwʊd/).

Is Elwood a popular name right now?

Elwood peaked at #204 in 1915 and is ranked #2134 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Elwood Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Elwood, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.