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Elsie

♀ Girl

Pronounced EL-see /ˈɛl.si/High

Meaning: Pledged to God, God is my oath — Scottish pet form of Elspeth/Elizabeth, from Hebrew <em>Elisheba</em>High

In 30 seconds: A Scottish pet form of Elspeth and Elizabeth, Elsie carries the same ancient Hebrew meaning — 'pledged to God' — with a distinctly warm, approachable charm. After a Victorian peak it is enjoying a spirited 21st-century revival.
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Origin HighScottish, Hebrew
MeaningPledged to God, God is my oath — Scottish pet form of Elspeth/Elizabeth, from Hebrew <em>Elisheba</em>
Peak year1918
Total births (all-time)≈ 177,457

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191818802017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Elsie originated as a Scottish diminutive of Elspeth, which is the Scottish form of Elizabeth, from Hebrew Elisheba, meaning 'my God is an oath' or 'pledged to God.' The name has been in use in Scotland since at least the 17th century and spread throughout the English-speaking world during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Elsie was a popular girls' name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Britain and the United States. It fell out of fashion in the mid-20th century but has been enjoying a confident revival since the 2000s, part of a broader trend for sweet vintage names like Evie, Millie, and Rosie. It entered the U.S. top 300 girls' names by the 2010s.

Did you know? Elsie the Borden Cow, introduced in 1936 as the mascot for Borden Dairy, became one of the most recognized advertising characters in U.S. history — so beloved that when her 'husband' Elmer was introduced, he went on to become the face of Elmer's Glue.

Variations

ElsyElsi

Nicknames

Els

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Elsie…

Millie— similarly charming Victorian-era pet name back in fashion

Frequently Asked

What does the name Elsie mean?

Elsie is a Scottish pet form of Elspeth (Elizabeth), from Hebrew <em>Elisheba</em> meaning 'pledged to God' or 'God is my oath.'

How do you pronounce Elsie?

Elsie is pronounced EL-see /ˈɛl.si/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Elsie a boy or girl name?

Elsie is a girls' name.

How popular is Elsie?

Elsie was popular in the early 20th century, declined mid-century, and has been reviving strongly since the 2000s.