Elvis

Boy

Meaning
uncertain (origin disputed)
Pronunciation
EL-vis
Syllables
2
US rank 2025
#1,328
US babies 2025
145
Best rank
#311 (1957)
Peak year
1957

Meaning and origin of Elvis

The origin of Elvis is uncertain.

Elvis has an uncertain origin. It may come from an Irish saint's name, Ailbhe, sometimes rendered Elvis, or from a Norse or English source, but no explanation is widely accepted. The name is inseparable from Elvis Presley, the singer and actor who became one of the defining figures of American popular music and is still called the King of Rock and Roll. Elvis Costello, the English musician, adopted the name as part of his stage identity. As a given name, Elvis feels bold, retro and charismatic. It suits families who want a name with obvious personality.

Popularity over time

02004006008001900192019401960198020002020Peak 1957: 605
US babies named Elvis per year, 1880 to 2025

Elvis first appears in US Social Security records in 1881. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 113 different years, starting in 1881. Its best national rank was #311 in 1957, the same year it reached its highest count of 605 babies. In 2025, 145 babies were named Elvis, and it ranked #1,328 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.

Its national rank moved from #769 in 1920, #845 in 1950, #571 in 1980, #593 in 2000, #1,013 in 2010, and #1,328 in 2025. Of the 17,971 US boys named Elvis since records began, 16% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 2,240 babies. Since 2010, 2,702 more have been named Elvis.

Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Hal, Monte, Stewart, Jeffry, and Gerry.

Where it is most popular (2025)

In 2025, Elvis ranked highest in Louisiana, Washington, and California.

StateRank thereBabies
Louisiana#8125
Washington#8317
California#86827
Virginia#10046
New Jersey#10755

Gender, sound and spelling

In the US it is used almost only for boys.

Elvis is usually pronounced EL-vis, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with E and ends in “-is”.

Middle names for Elvis

A few middle names that flow with Elvis: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.

Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
William Boy
WIHL-yuhm
“resolute protector” · Germanic
#9
James Boy
JAYMZ
“holder of the heel, supplanter” · English
#6
John Boy
JAHN
“Yahweh is gracious” · Hebrew
#23
Leo Boy
LEE-oh
“lion” · Latin
#19
Rowan Unisex
ROH-uhn
“little red one; rowan tree” · Irish
#59

Sibling names for Elvis

Similar names

Boris Boy
BAWR-ihs
“uncertain; linked to Slavic "fight"” · Slavic
#3,189
Dennis Boy
DEH-nihs
“follower of Dionysus” · Greek
#707
Curtis Boy
KUR-tuhs
“courteous” · French
#985
Marquis Boy
mahr-KEE
“nobleman of the border” · French
#1,672
Harris Boy
HEH-rihs
“son of Harry” · English
#1,300
Jarvis Boy
JAR-vis
“uncertain (from Gervase)” · English
#2,858
Aris Unisex
AIR-is
“best” · Greek
#1,333
Faris Boy
FAH-rihs
“knight, horseman” · Arabic
#1,299
Morris Boy
MAWR-ihs
“form of Maurice, 'a Moor'” · English
#1,762
Ferris Boy
FEH-rihs
“variant of Fergus, or Pierce” · Irish
#3,149
Luis Boy
loo-EES
“famous warrior” · Spanish
#144

Lists that include Elvis

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Elvis mean?

The origin of Elvis is uncertain.

Is Elvis a popular name?

Not especially. Elvis ranked #1,328 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.

Is Elvis a boy or girl name?

Elvis is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.

How do you pronounce Elvis?

Elvis is usually pronounced EL-vis. 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