Ellwood is an uncommon, yet distinguished given name of English origin. It is derived from the Old English elements 'ell' meaning 'all' and 'wald' signifying 'power' or 'rule'. The name was likely bestowed as a surname before its usage as a forename became more prevalent in the late Victorian era. Ellwood is perhaps most famously associated with the character Ellwood Clay in Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel 'The Scarlet Letter', which may have contributed to its rarity today. Nevertheless, it carries an air of uniqueness and timelessness that sets it apart from more common names.
"Ellwood as a name saw varied popularity over time, with a significant increase starting from 1912 and peaking in 1918 with 82 births. The name's popularity then steadily declined, with fewer than 20 births per year recorded since the 1960s. Interestingly, there has been a recent resurgence, with 7 births in 2021."