Elin
Girl name · 29 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Elin: 29 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 6 births in 2010.
A name with Welsh and Scandinavian roots, Elin is a variant of Helen, ultimately from the Greek Helene, meaning 'torch' or 'moon'. It has long been popular in Wales, where it's the native form of Ellen, and is also common in Sweden and Norway. Notable bearers include American author Elin Hilderbrand, known for her Nantucket-set novels, and Elin Kjos, a celebrated Norwegian soprano. The name shares an etymological link with Helena, the capital of Montana, though no direct place connection exists. Elin has a gentle, international feel, equally at home in English and Gaelic contexts, and was given to over 50 baby girls in Scotland in 2024 alone, reflecting its steady, understated charm.
Girl 7 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 20106 babies
- Latest (2019)
- #5605 babies
- Total births
- 29since 2003
- 5-year trend
- ▼ 11%vs prior 5y