Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Elsie
GirlScottish, Hebrew· “God is my oath”
- Meaning
- God is my oath
- Origin
- Scottish, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- EHL-see
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #123
- US babies 2025
- 2,236
- Best rank
- #31 (1896)
- Peak year
- 1918
Meaning and origin of Elsie
Elsie is a Scottish and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “God is my oath”.
Elsie is a Scottish diminutive of Elspeth, the Scots form of Elizabeth. Elizabeth goes back to the Hebrew Elisheva, usually translated as God is my oath. Elsie became common in Britain and North America in the late nineteenth century and was a familiar name for grandmothers and great-grandmothers before fading for several decades. It has since returned alongside other vintage names like Millie and Mabel, and it now feels cheerful and cozy rather than dated. Elsie is short and easy to spell, and it can stand alone or serve as a nickname for Elizabeth, Eloise or Elise.
Popularity over time
Elsie has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 117 different years. Its best national rank was #31 in 1896, and the most babies received it in 1918, when 5,194 were named Elsie. In 2025, 2,236 babies were named Elsie, and it ranked #123 nationally. That is 164% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #51 in 1920, #294 in 1950, #1,125 in 1980, #1,301 in 2000, #639 in 2010, and #123 in 2025. Of the 190,072 US girls named Elsie since records began, 22% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 39,274 babies. Since 2010, 19,215 more have been named Elsie.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Agnes, Bertha, Clara, Eva, and Pearl.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Elsie ranked highest in North Dakota, Idaho, and South Dakota.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | #19 | 23 |
| Idaho | #26 | 41 |
| South Dakota | #30 | 19 |
| Minnesota | #37 | 90 |
| Iowa | #40 | 53 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Elsie is usually pronounced EHL-see, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with E and ends in “-ie”.
Middle names for Elsie
A few middle names that flow with Elsie: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Elsie
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Lists that include Elsie
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Elsie mean?
Elsie is a Scottish and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “God is my oath”.
What is the origin of the name Elsie?
Elsie has Scottish and Hebrew roots. Elsie is a Scottish diminutive of Elspeth, the Scots form of Elizabeth.
Is Elsie a popular name?
Yes. Elsie ranked #123 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Elsie a boy or girl name?
Elsie is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Elsie?
Elsie is usually pronounced EHL-see. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings