Elif Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Elif originates from the Arabic letter 'Alif', symbolizing uniqueness and individuality. The name means slender or delicate and has evolved through Arabic and Turkish languages. It has been embraced in Turkish culture for centuries, reflecting feminine grace. There is no biblical relevance associated with the name.
The name Elif is most popular in New Jersey, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Elif has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Elif' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 15863rd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 9571st out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 5083rd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2402nd out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Elif' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Elif"
Pronunciation
/ˈɛlɪf/
Origin
Arabic/Turkish
Etymology
Elif is derived from the Arabic letter 'Alif', which represents the first letter of the Arabic alphabet. In Turkish, it often symbolizes uniqueness and individuality.
Meaning
slender, delicate
Language Evolution
Arabic: ألف (Alif), Turkish: Elif
Historical Usage
The name Elif has been used in Turkish culture for centuries, gaining popularity especially in the 20th century as a symbol of feminine beauty and grace.
Variants & Derivatives
Elifin, Elifnaz, Elifcan
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Elif is a popular name in Turkey and among Turkish communities worldwide, often associated with elegance and sophistication.
Famous People
Elif Shafak, a renowned Turkish-British novelist, Elif Batuman, an American author and essayist
Explore More Elif Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Elif"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Elif"
"Elif" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 15863rd of 19264 | 11 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 9571st of 27321 | 103 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 5083rd of 35406 | 405 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2402nd of 30306 | 910 |
Regional Popularity of "Elif" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Elif" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
78.75% 3524th/4475 |
- | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
92.80% 4252nd/4582 |
46.48% 2400th/5164 |
100.00% 7313th/7313 |
91.16% 6803rd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
65.34% 2603rd/3984 |
28.82% 1293rd/4487 |
37.28% 2543rd/6822 |
39.02% 2449th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Elif"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Elif" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.