Elspeth Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Elspeth is a Scottish name derived from the Hebrew Elisheva, meaning 'God is my oath'. It evolved from Elizabeth and became popular in Scotland during the Middle Ages. The name carries connotations of strength and femininity, though it is considered vintage today. There is no direct biblical relevance, but it is rooted in a biblical name. Notable individuals with this name include author Elspeth Huxley and adventurer Elspeth Beard.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Elspeth"
Pronunciation
/ˈɛlspəθ/
Origin
Scottish
Etymology
Elspeth is a Scottish form of Elizabeth, which is derived from the Hebrew name Elisheva, meaning 'God is my oath'.
Meaning
God is my oath
Language Evolution
Elisheva (Hebrew), Elizabeth (Old English), Elspeth (Scottish)
Historical Usage
Elspeth gained popularity in Scotland during the Middle Ages as a variant of Elizabeth, particularly in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Variants & Derivatives
Elizabeth, Elsie, Lizzie
Modern Popularity & Image
Elspeth is viewed as a traditional and somewhat vintage name in modern times, often associated with strength and femininity.
Famous People
Elspeth Huxley, a British author, Elspeth Beard, an English motorcyclist and adventurer
📊 Elspeth Name Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Elspeth Name Visualizations
✨ Elspeth Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 39 peak births in 1984
Geographic Spread
Popular across 3 US states, with strongest presence in Massachusetts
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Elspeth"
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 "Elspeth"
"Elspeth" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 5764th of 9107 | 34 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 5456th of 9204 | 42 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 6731st of 12526 | 56 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 9746th of 19264 | 49 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 4557th of 27321 | 316 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 8764th of 35406 | 193 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 6670th of 30306 | 214 |
Regional Popularity of "Elspeth" 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 "Elspeth" 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) |
100.00% 3685th/3685 |
93.65% 4191st/4475 |
- |
79.59% 5028th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Elspeth"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Elspeth" 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.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Elspeth" in the United States
The name Elspeth is most popular in Massachusetts, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Millennials (Gen Y) generation in the West 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, Elspeth has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled 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 West. Across generations, 'Elspeth' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 5764th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 5456th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 6731st out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 9746th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4557th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 8764th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 6670th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Elspeth' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.