Elmira
Elmira is a girl's name of Arabic origin.
Meaning
Princess; noble and famous.
Origin and history
Elmira is a classic feminine name derived either from the Arabic title Al-Amira, meaning princess, or as a contraction of the Germanic name Adelmira, meaning noble and famous. It was moderately popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States and remains a rare, vintage choice today. Its literary presence was boosted by the character Elmire in Molière's 1664 play Tartuffe.
Popularity in the United States
4,360 babies in the United States have been named Elmira since 1880. It ranks #2661 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2045.
States where it is most popular
- PA (25.2 %)
- LA (12 %)
- AL (11.6 %)
- MS (11.1 %)
- GA (10.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 211 |
| 1890-1900 | 308 |
| 1900-1910 | 389 |
| 1910-1920 | 819 |
| 1920-1930 | 903 |
| 1930-1940 | 520 |
| 1940-1950 | 390 |
| 1950-1960 | 332 |
| 1960-1970 | 180 |
| 1970-1980 | 87 |
| 1980-1990 | 32 |
| 1990-2000 | 26 |
| 2000-2010 | 19 |
| 2010-2019 | 88 |
| 2020-2029 | 56 |
Famous people named Elmira
- Elmira Royster Shelton: Historical figure
Nicknames
Ellie, Mira, Elmie
Fun facts
- A variant spelling, Elmire, appears as a prominent character in Molière's famous 17th-century comedy Tartuffe.
- Elmira is the name of a city in New York State where Mark Twain maintained a study and was buried.