Total births
1,272
Girls' name · since 1920
Elwanda
1,272 babies named Elwanda in U.S. Social Security records since 1920, with the highest year being 1921. Year-by-year trend, decade aggregates, and state-level rankings drawn from federal birth data.
- 1,272
- total births
- 1920–1977
- years on record
- 1920s
- peak decade
- 39%
- born in that decade
Elwanda is not among the current top-ranked girls names; 1,272 have been recorded since 1920.
According to the U.S. Social Security Administration, Elwanda has been recorded 1,272 times among girls since 1920, though it is not among the currently most-used girls names, with its heaviest use in the 1920s. This profile covers year-by-year birth trends, decade totals, and state-level distribution, all derived directly from SSA birth-registration files spanning 1920 to 1977.
- 1,272 total births
- 1920–1977 years on record
- 1920s peak decade
- 39% born in that decade
Data updated Jul 2026
The verdict
1,272 girls have been named Elwanda since 1920, peaking in the 1920s, last recorded in 1977.
- 1,272
- total births
- 1920–1977
- years on record
- 1920s
- peak decade
- 39%
- born in that decade
1920s
Peak decade
39% of everyone ever named Elwanda was born in this single decade.
1921
Single peak year
98 babies were named Elwanda in 1921 - its busiest year on record.
Elwanda's usage pattern, beyond the headline number
Divide Elwanda's SSA record in two at 1945 and the more recent half accounts for 24% of all births, the earlier half the remaining 76%, consistent with a name more common in the past than in recent years. Its calmest year was 1920, with only 5 births recorded -- set against the 1921 peak of 98, that's the full swing in one name's fortunes.
Elwanda at a glance
Last recorded 1977Peak year
1921
Current rank
Unranked
Active since
1920
Elwanda popularity over time
Annual U.S. births registered with the Social Security Administration · 1920–1977
- Peak year (1921)
- 98
- Annual births at peak, across 58 years of records
Elwanda by decade
Total births in each ten-year window, peak vs trough at a glance
1920s was Elwanda's strongest decade.
499 babies received the name during that ten-year window, about 39% of all-time use.
Elwanda births by decade
Total births in each ten-year window
- 1920s
1920s
499 births
- 1930s
1930s
332 births
- 1940s
1940s
253 births
- 1950s 111
1950s
111 births
- 1960s 60
1960s
60 births
- 1970s 17
1970s
17 births
What this shows Peak: 1920s at 499 births (39% of all-time use).
How Elwanda compares to similarly-sized names
Years in SSA records vs. share of all-time use concentrated in the single peak year, among 15 girls names closest to Elwanda's total volume
Elwanda vs 15 similarly-sized girls names
Elwanda by state
Where Elwanda concentrates geographically, total births since 1920
| Rank | State | Visual share | Births | Share of total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Texas | | 162 | 12.7% |
| #2 | Arkansas | | 155 | 12.2% |
| #3 | Oklahoma | | 90 | 7.1% |
| #4 | Kentucky | | 64 | 5.0% |
| #5 | West Virginia | | 29 | 2.3% |
| #6 | Tennessee | | 23 | 1.8% |
| #7 | Missouri | | 20 | 1.6% |
Texas share of Elwanda's total US births 12.7%
Even split
162 of 1,272 births nationwide. Compared to a flat distribution across 7 reporting states.
Frequently Asked Questions
How popular is the name Elwanda? ▼
Since 1920, Social Security records show 1,272 babies named Elwanda. The most recent recorded year was 1977. Its busiest year on record was 1921, with 98 births.
When was Elwanda most popular? ▼
Elwanda was most popular in the 1920s decade with 499 total births. The single peak year was 1921.
Where is Elwanda most popular? ▼
The top states for the name Elwanda are Texas (162 births), Arkansas (155 births), Oklahoma (90 births).
How long has the name Elwanda been used? ▼
Elwanda has been recorded in Social Security data since 1920, spanning 58 years of data through 1977.
What names are similar to Elwanda? ▼
Names with a similar sound or spelling include Elwyn, Elwood, Elwillie, Elwin. These share a common prefix and are also used for girls.
What to do with Elwanda's data
- Elwanda's decade-level peak was the 1920s (499 total births); usage has since declined to 17 in the 1970s -- if you're weighing a "classic revival" angle, the trend line argues against it.
- Texas records the most Elwandas (162 births) -- see the full state breakdown if geography matters to your decision. Texas names
- Weighing it against an alternative? Put two names side by side. Compare names
Figures reflect SSA-reported births only; see the methodology above for the privacy-suppression floor.
Keep exploring Elwanda
Nearby Names Like Elwanda
Names with a similar sound, spelling, or feel to Elwanda
Compare Elwanda side by side: Elwanda vs Elwyn Elwanda vs Elwood Elwanda vs Elwillie
Related Names
Names with a similar number of total births
Data Sources
Data as of July 2026. Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA).
According to the Social Security Administration, this profile draws directly from the agency's public-use baby-name files (updated June 2026). See our methodology for the full extraction, aggregation, and privacy-suppression rules.
Primary: Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Baby Names from Social Security Card Applications, National Data, 1920–1977 (ssa.gov/oact/babynames).
State-level: Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Baby Names, State-Level Files (namesbystate.zip).
Cite this page
NameAlmanac Editorial. "Elwanda: Baby Name Since 1920 - 1,272 Births, Peak 1921." NameAlmanac. Accessed via https://namealmanac.com/name/elwanda. Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Name Almanac is rendered directly from the Social Security Administration's public baby-name files, no number is typed in by an editor. This profile for Elwanda draws directly on SSA national and state-level files, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.