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Home › Baby Names Directory › Elan

Elan

♀ Girl

Pronounced AY-lahn /ˈeɪ.lɑːn/Medium

Meaning: As a Hebrew name Elan (Ilan) means 'tree; oak'; it doubles as the French word elan, 'flair; verve; dash.' Used here for a girl though it leans to boys.Low

In 30 seconds: A crisp nature name: Elan means 'tree; oak' in Hebrew, with a French sense of 'flair' (said 'AY-lahn'). More often a boy's — we note the lean.
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Origin LowHebrew, French
MeaningAs a Hebrew name Elan (Ilan) means 'tree; oak'; it doubles as the French word elan, 'flair; verve; dash.' Used here for a girl though it leans to boys.
U.S. rank (2025)#15556 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1984
Total births (all-time)≈ 798

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198419692025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Elan (Ilan) is a Hebrew name meaning 'tree; oak,' and also the French word for 'flair; dash.' As a girl's name it is rare and reads as a modern nature-word pick; more often a boy's name, which we note (said 'AY-lahn').

For girls it appears only rarely in the U.S., against heavier boys' use. Rare, spare, and energetic.

Did you know? Elan carries two threads — the Hebrew for 'tree; oak' and the French elan, 'flair; verve' — a spare, energetic name more often given to boys, which we note (said 'AY-lahn').
Overall data confidence 40%
References — Elan — Hebrew 'tree; oak'; French 'flair'; cross-sex, boy-leaning

Variations

IlanElannElon

Nicknames

ElLani

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Elan…

Noa— a like short Hebrew unisex pick
Tamar— a like Hebrew nature name ('palm')
Mayan— echoes that soft -an sound
Ethan— shares the -an ending
Susan— another Hebrew name

Explore names like Elan

By themehebrewnaturecross-sexunisex-lean-boy

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Elan mean?

Elan is Hebrew for 'tree; oak,' and also the French word for 'flair; verve.'

How do you pronounce Elan?

It's said AY-lahn /ˈeɪ.lɑːn/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Elan a boy or girl name?

Elan is used for both, but more often for boys — we note the lean.

How popular is Elan?

Elan is rare for girls in the U.S. and more common for boys.

💬 Ask Nia