The name Elle is of French origin and has a unique history behind it. It is derived from the French word "elle," which translates to "she" in English. The use of Elle as a given name is a relatively modern phenomenon, with its popularity rising significantly during the late 20th century.
The name Elle first gained widespread recognition through the iconic film "Elle" by Jean-Luc Godard, released in 1962. In the movie, the character played by Anna Karina is referred to as Elle, but her actual name is never revealed. This use of a pronoun as a given name was innovative and contributed to its growing popularity.
The name Elle also has connections to the world of fashion and literature. Elle magazine, founded in France in 1945, took its name from the French word for "she." The magazine's focus on women's issues and trends further popularized the name Elle among women in France and beyond. Additionally, the famous novel by Louise Erdrich titled "Love Medicine" features a character named Elles, which may have also contributed to the name's popularity.
Despite its origins, Elle is not exclusively used as a feminine name. In some cases, it can be used as a gender-neutral or unisex name, similar to other pronouns like Sam and Alex. However, it remains more commonly associated with female individuals.
In recent years, the name Elle has become increasingly popular among parents looking for unique and distinctive names for their daughters. Its simple and elegant sound, combined with its strong French roots and literary connections, makes it an appealing choice for many families.
Based on the statistics provided, it's clear that the name Elle has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States.
Starting with only 5 births in 1977, the number of babies named Elle gradually increased year by year. It wasn't until the late 1980s and early 1990s that we began to see a more substantial rise in popularity, with over 100 births each year from 1991 onwards.
The most notable increase occurred between 2002 and 2004. In just two years, the number of babies named Elle more than doubled, jumping from 418 births in 2002 to 596 births in 2004. This trend continued throughout the 2000s, with the name reaching its peak popularity in 2010 and 2011, with over 750 babies named Elle each year.
However, since 2012, there has been a slight decrease in the number of births for this name. In 2023, only 696 babies were named Elle, marking a significant drop from the peak years earlier in the decade. Despite this recent decline, it's clear that the name Elle remains popular among parents in the United States.
In total, over the period spanning from 1977 to 2023, there have been 17,924 births of babies named Elle in the United States. This demonstrates a consistent and substantial level of popularity for this name across several generations.