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Home › Baby Names Directory › Elgin

Elgin

♂ Boy

Pronounced EL-gin /ˈɛl.ɡɪn/Medium

Meaning: From the Scottish place Elgin — variously 'little Ireland' and 'a little noble one' (a cathedral town in Moray); a place/surname-name; we note the placeLow

In 30 seconds: Little Ireland; a little noble one: Elgin is a Scottish place-name. Crisp, classic, and warm (said 'EL-gin').
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Origin LowScottish
MeaningFrom the Scottish place Elgin — variously 'little Ireland' and 'a little noble one' (a cathedral town in Moray); a place/surname-name; we note the place
U.S. rank (2025)#9982 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1920
Total births (all-time)≈ 3,959

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192718862025

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

Elgin comes from the Scottish place Elgin — variously 'little Ireland' and 'a little noble one' (a cathedral town in Moray; a place/surname-name; we note the place). A crisp, classic name (said 'EL-gin', with a hard g; made known by NBA Hall-of-Famer Elgin Baylor).

In the U.S. it appears as a surname-name. Rare, little-Ireland at the root, and classic.

Did you know? Elgin is a Scottish place, variously 'little Ireland' and 'a little noble one' (a cathedral town in Moray) — a crisp, classic place/surname-name (we note the place; said 'EL-gin', with a hard g).
Overall data confidence 36%
References — Elgin — place/surname-name

Variations

ElgynElgen

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Elgin…

Elton— a sound-neighbor El- place/surname-name
Ellis— a fellow El- boys' name
Alvin— a companion -vin boys' name
Melvin— a kindred -in boys' name

Explore names like Elgin

By themeuncertainsurname-nameplace-namescottish
By meaningRoyal / Noble

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Elgin mean?

Elgin is a Scottish place-name, variously 'little Ireland' and 'a little noble one'. We note the place.

How do you pronounce Elgin?

It's said EL-gin /ˈɛl.ɡɪn/ — two syllables, with a hard g.

Is Elgin a boy or girl name?

Elgin is a boy's name here.

How popular is Elgin?

Elgin is a rare name in the U.S.

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