Elward is an uncommon, yet distinctive given name of Germanic origin. It is derived from the Old Germanic elements 'Alw' meaning 'noble' and 'hard' meaning 'strong'. The name Elward was popular in medieval Germany but has since become quite rare, making it a unique choice for parents seeking an unusual yet meaningful name for their child.
The name Elward experienced significant popularity between 1912 and 1923, with consistent increases each year until reaching a peak of 16 births in 1923. However, this popularity was short-lived as the number of births dropped significantly after that year, never again exceeding double digits. The name's usage remained relatively stable throughout the following decades, with fluctuations ranging from 5 to 14 births per year until it gradually declined towards the end of the recorded period in 1959, with only 7 births registered that year. In total, there were 306 babies named Elward over this span.