Given name & surname · also African
Elon
“loved by God”·“from the oak tree”
Elon is used as a given name and a surname. Interpretations include “loved by God” (African) and “from the oak tree” (Hebrew). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Original Hebrewאילון
Meaning & origin
What it means
Interpretations include “loved by God” (African) and “from the oak tree” (Hebrew). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Where it comes from
This spelling has been associated with African and Hebrew naming traditions.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1885. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
In the Bible
In the Bible, the name Elon appears in Numbers 26:26, Joshua 19:43, 1 Kings 4:9.
- Numbers 26:26
- Joshua 19:43
- 1 Kings 4:9
From biblical name research
Elon through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 3,633
- 3,121 boys · 512 girls
- Most popular year
- 2021
- 239 babies
- 2025
- 90
- #1,780 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −14%
- Easing
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 90 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 1,780 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 12.3% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. In 2025, California and Texas shared the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (14 each). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 2,218 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Elon’s family of names
In English usage, Elon has a related form in Alan. In English usage, Elon has a related form in Elan. Elon has a related form in Elan.
Inner ring: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 21
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Across languages 5
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
See also 12
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
- Joelshares a root
- Elashares a root
- Elahshares a root
- Elimshares a root
- Allonshares a root
- Aijalonshares a root
- Ulamshares a root
- Ulaishares a root
Show 4 moreShow fewer
People named Elon
- Elon MuskAmerican businessman (born 1971)
- Elon LindenstraussIsraeli mathematicianborn 1970
- Elon GoldAmerican actorborn 1970
- Elon J. FarnsworthUnion Army General (1837-1863)
- Elon Lages LimaBrazilian mathematician (1929-2017)
- Elon GanorIsraeli entrepreneur and artistborn 1950
- Elon Howard EatonAmerican scientist (1866-1934)
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Elon, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Usher
“from the mouth of the river” · “from. the mouth of the river”
>99% boys
Есфир
“star”
—
Arlo
“from the barberry tree”
96% boys · 4% girls
Rowen
“of the red-berry tree”
77% boys · 23% girls
Locke
“man of the forest” · “from the fortress”
>99% boys
Rio
“woman of the river” · “from the river”
79% boys · 21% girls
Leith
“from the broad river”
>99% boys
Woods
“a woman of the forest” · “a man of the forest”
98% boys · 2% girls