Elin

Updated: October 7, 2021 by MomsWhoThink Staff

The baby name Elin is a Scandinavian version of the more familiar Ellen, though it's also common in Welsh and Celtic cultures. It had a brief bout of popularity in the United States during the 2010s, perhaps inspired by the ex-wife of Tiger Woods, Swedish model Elin Nordegren. Either way, it feels like a fresh take on an old-fashioned name with a touch of international flare.

Meaning of the name Elin:

Greek: Sun, fire torch

Origin of the name Elin:

The baby name Elin is derived from the Greek name Helen, which has three potential origins. One possibility — which is the most likely origin — is that it's derived from the Greek word “hēlio,” which means sun. Another is that it's derived from “ελενη,” which means “fire torch.” That last one is that it's derived from “Hellēn,” which is literally the Greek word for “Greek.”

Symbolism of the name Elin:

Elin is most likely derived from the Greek word for the sun, so many new parents may see the name as a symbol of light.

Style of the name Elin:

International

Gender of the name Elin:

Elin is a girl's name.

Pronunciation of the name Elin:

EH-lin or ee-LYN

Number of syllables in the name Elin:

Two

Emotion evoked from the name Elin:

The baby name Elin evokes images of someone who is successful at everything they put their mind to.

Alternative spellings for the name Elin:

Ellen
Ellin
Ellyn
Elyn
Elen

Nicknames for the name Elin:

El
Elle
Ellie
Eli
Elly

Popularity of the name Elin:

According to the Social Security Administration, Elin was a top 1,000 baby name for girls in the United States between 2010 and 2016. It last ranked at number 991 in 2016.