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Home › Baby Names Directory › Elmo

Elmo

♂ Boy

Pronounced EL-moh /ˈɛl.moʊ/High

Meaning: An Italian short form of Erasmus (from Greek erasmios, 'beloved, desired'), best known through St. Elmo, patron of sailors, whose name gives 'St. Elmo's fire.' Sometimes also linked to a Germanic 'helmet' element.Medium

In 30 seconds: Elmo is an Italian short form of Erasmus, linked to 'beloved'; think St. Elmo (said 'EL-moh').
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Origin MediumItalian, Greek
MeaningAn Italian short form of Erasmus (from Greek erasmios, 'beloved, desired'), best known through St. Elmo, patron of sailors, whose name gives 'St. Elmo's fire.' Sometimes also linked to a Germanic 'helmet' element.
U.S. rank (2023)#12773 ↘ Falling
2023 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1920
Total births (all-time)≈ 10,091

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192018802023

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

Elmo is an Italian short form of Erasmus, from the Greek erasmios, 'beloved'; it is carried by St. Elmo, patron of sailors, and lends its name to the glow called 'St. Elmo's fire.' Modestly popular in the early twentieth century, it crested around 1920 and then faded, now a vintage name.

Given to several hundred boys a year at its height, Elmo now reads as a retro 1920s name.

Did you know? Elmo peaked around 1920 and faded through mid-century, a saintly name tied to the sailors' patron St. Elmo.
Overall data confidence 66%
References — Elmo — Italian short form of Erasmus; St. Elmo

Variations

ElmoreErasmoElmoe

Nicknames

El

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Elmo…

Elmore— a like El- name of the era
Alonzo— a like vintage -o boy's name
Otto— a like early-century short name
Ellis— a like El- classic

Explore names like Elmo

By themevintageitalian1920ssaint-name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Elmo mean?

Elmo is an Italian short form of Erasmus, from the Greek for 'beloved'; it is carried by St. Elmo, patron of sailors.

How do you pronounce Elmo?

It's said EL-moh /ˈɛl.moʊ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Elmo a boy or girl name?

Elmo is used as a boy's name.

Is Elmo making a comeback?

Not notably — it's an early-twentieth-century favorite that has been uncommon since, a vintage saint-name.

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