Elliott is a name of English origin that has gained popularity in recent years. It is derived from the Old Norse given name Hjalti, which means "noble" or "high". The name was brought to England by Viking settlers and over time evolved into the form we know today.
The name Elliott has been used as a given name since at least the 13th century in Scotland. It was traditionally associated with families of Scottish descent, such as the Elliotts of Minto and the Elliotts of Stobs, who were prominent landowning families in the Scottish Borders region.
In the United States, Elliott was first recorded as a given name in the late 19th century, but it did not become particularly popular until the mid-20th century. Today, Elliott is considered a classic yet modern choice for boys' names, ranking consistently in the top 500 most popular boy names in the U.S.
Some notable individuals with the name Elliott include:
* Elliott Smith (1963-2003), an American singer-songwriter known for his introspective and melancholic songs.
* Elliott Erwitt (b. 1928), a French-American photographer known for his candid black-and-white images of people and places around the world.
* Elliott Sadler (b. 1975), an American stock car racing driver who competes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
While Elliott may have gained popularity due to its association with notable individuals, its meaning and history make it a strong choice for any parent looking for a name that is both distinctive and classic.
The name Elliott experienced a significant surge in popularity from the late 1970s onwards, with a notable spike starting around 1982 and peaking in 2015. From the early 1900s to the mid-1970s, the number of annual births with the name Elliott fluctuated between roughly 10 to 30 per year. However, from 1982 onwards, this figure began to rise steadily, reaching a peak of 2451 births in 2019 before tapering off slightly in recent years. Overall, there were a total of 58024 births with the name Elliott between 1880 and 2023.