Home › Baby Names Directory › Elke
Elke
Pronounced EL-kuh /ˈɛl.kə/Medium
Meaning: A German and Frisian short form of Adelheid (Adelaide), from the Germanic roots adal ('noble') and heid ('kind; sort') — thus 'noble; of noble kind.' A crisp Continental name.Medium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
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
Elke is a German and Frisian pet form of Adelheid, from the Germanic adal ('noble') and heid ('kind') — 'noble; of noble kind.' It reads as a crisp Continental name, rare in the U.S. and neat at heart (said 'EL-kuh').
In the U.S. it appears rarely, mostly in German-heritage families. Crisp, Continental, and tidy.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- Famous bearers coming soon.
If you like Elke…
Explore names like Elke
Frequently Asked
What does the name Elke mean?
Elke is a German and Frisian short form of Adelheid, from 'adal,' meaning 'noble.'
How do you pronounce Elke?
It's said EL-kuh /ˈɛl.kə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Elke a boy or girl name?
Elke is used as a girl's name.
How popular is Elke?
Elke is rare in the U.S. and familiar in German-speaking countries.