Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Elza
GirlHungarian, German· “variant of Elsa, from Elizabeth”
- Meaning
- variant of Elsa, from Elizabeth
- Origin
- Hungarian, German
- Pronunciation
- EHL-zuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #11,226
- US babies 2025
- 8
- Best rank
- #961 (1883)
- Peak year
- 1921
Meaning and origin of Elza
Elza is a Hungarian and German name that is usually said to mean “variant of Elsa, from Elizabeth”.
Elza is a form of Elsa, the German short form of Elisabeth, from the Hebrew Elisheva, my God is an oath. Elza is the standard spelling in Hungarian and is also used in Latvian, Portuguese and other languages, where z represents the sound written s in German. The name was used in the United States in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, sometimes for boys as well as girls. It is said EHL-zuh. Elsie and Ellie are gentle nicknames, and the name has the brisk, vintage character of Elsa, Ilse and Eliza.
Popularity over time
Elza first appears in US Social Security records in 1883. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 1 different years, starting in 1883. Its best national rank was #961 in 1883, and the most babies received it in 1921, when 22 were named Elza. In 2025, 8 babies were named Elza, and it ranked #11,226 nationally. That is 47% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,301 in 1920, #5,534 in 1950, #12,185 in 2000, #10,652 in 2010, and #11,226 in 2025. Of the 831 US girls named Elza since records began, 18% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 140 babies. Since 2010, 214 more have been named Elza.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Teodora, Netta, Aleda, Rella, and Lollie.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Elza is usually pronounced EHL-zuh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with E and ends in “-za”.
Middle names for Elza
A few middle names that flow with Elza: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Elza
Similar names
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Lists that include Elza
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Elza mean?
Elza is a Hungarian and German name that is usually said to mean “variant of Elsa, from Elizabeth”.
What is the origin of the name Elza?
Elza has Hungarian, German, and Hebrew roots. Elza is a form of Elsa, the German short form of Elisabeth, from the Hebrew Elisheva, my God is an oath.
Is Elza a popular name?
Not especially. Elza ranked #11,226 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Elza a boy or girl name?
Elza is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Elza?
Elza is usually pronounced EHL-zuh. 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