100 Elf Names for Babies: Meanings & Origins

Elf names carry a certain lightness, all soft vowels, woodland roots, and a hint of old magic borrowed from Tolkien’s Rivendell, Norse legend, and the little folk of medieval folklore. They sound like something whispered under starlight, which makes them a lovely choice for a baby who already feels a bit enchanted.

We gathered 100 elf names across three lists: 42 enchanting picks for girls, 53 edgy ones for boys, and 5 gender-neutral options that work beautifully for anyone. Some are pulled straight from fantasy epics, others from folklore and myth, and a few are simply airy and magical enough to belong.

Scroll on to find the one that fits your little sprite.

42 Enchanting Elvish Names for Girls

Give your daughter a magical start in life with one of these beautiful elven names for girls.

1. Aafje: A Dutch feminine name meaning “elf” or “magical being,” pronounced AHF-yuh. It began as a pet form of older Germanic Alf- names, the same root that gives us the word elf.
2. Afsaneh: This Muslim girl’s name means “fairy tale” and makes a gorgeous pick for your baby.
3. Agada: A pretty name derived from the Hebrew word for “fairy tales” or “lore.”
4. Ailsa: A triumphant Scottish name meaning “elf victory.” It also relates to a rocky island.
5. Alba: Derived from the Germanic stem meaning “elf,” this is also a luminous Spanish girl name meaning “dawn.”
6. Albrun: An enchanting elven name composed of Germanic elements meaning “elf magic” or “elf secret.”
7. Alfsol: A Swedish girl’s name meaning “elf sun.”
8. Alva: A dainty Scandinavian pick from the Old Norse alfr, meaning “elf.” Pronounced AL-vah, it shares its root with the Swedish Älva.
9. Älva: The literal Swedish word for “fairy” or “elf,” from the Old Norse alfr. In Swedish folklore, an älva is a graceful spirit said to dance in the morning mist.
10. Alvgjerd: This Norwegian girl’s name translates to “elf garden.”
11. Alvilde: A name straight out of Norwegian legend featuring the warrior meaning of “elf army.”
12. Alwine: A unique name from the same Germanic stem as Alvin, meaning “elf friend.”
13. Aredhel: A pure and honest Tolkien elf name meaning “noble elf.”
14. Arwen: A famous elven character in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. It closely mirrors the Welsh name Arwyn, meaning “fair.”
15. Barig: A unique Armenian girl’s name meaning “fairy.”
16. Elbereth: Great for a royal baby, this Tolkien name means “star queen” in his fictional Sindarin language.
17. Elfa: A feminine form of Alf and a softer variant of Alva.
18. Elfriede: Dating back to the Middle Ages, this English and German girl’s name means “elf strength.”
19. Faye: This classic English pick comes from the Old French fae, the root of the word fairy. Short and lyrical, it has long been a favorite as a magical middle name.
20. Galadriel: The radiant elven Lady of Lothlórien in Lord of the Rings. In Tolkien’s Sindarin, her name means “maiden crowned with a radiant garland,” built on galad, meaning “light.”
21. Glóredhel: A glowing pick among Tolkien’s creations meaning “golden elf.”
22. Gunnalf: A feisty Norse girl’s name translating to “battle elf.”
23. Houria: An Arabic girl’s name for your precious little fairy or nymph.
24. Jennifer: A widely loved girl’s name, the Cornish form of Guinevere, from gwen (“white, fair”) plus a root meaning “phantom” or “fairy.”
25. Lamina: A beautiful mythical water nymph from Basque folklore.
26. Lefaye: Meaning “the fairy,” this French name feels mystical and alluring.
27. Míriel: A romantic name from Tolkien meaning “jewel daughter” in his fictional Quenya language.
28. Nerissa: A Greek-rooted feminine name meaning “sea nymph.” Shakespeare famously used it in The Merchant of Venice.
29. Olivia: A highly popular English name meaning “olive branch.” It also serves as a feminine form of Oliver, meaning “elf army.”
30. Parineeti: A sweet Hindi girl’s name meaning “beautiful” or “fairy.”
31. Parisa: A delicate Persian feminine name meaning “fairy-like.”
32. Pixie: A spritely name taken directly from the English word for a type of fairy.
33. Quenya: This feminine-sounding word is actually the name of a fictional elven language created by Tolkien.
34. Sheelin: A gorgeous name inspired by a lake in Ireland known as the “fairy pool.”
35. Síofra: Pronounced SHEE-fra, this Gaelic female name comes from the word síofra, meaning “elf,” “sprite,” or “changeling.” Its root sí points to the aos sí, the fairy folk of Irish tradition.
36. Soni: An elfin pick from Japanese that likely means “fairy princess.”
37. Sylph: A sylph is a mythical air spirit in English folklore.
38. Tiên: A Vietnamese girl’s name pronounced “teen” with the magical meaning of “celestial being.”
39. Tinuviel: An elvish princess in Tolkien’s works with the melodic meaning of “nightingale.”
40. Tünde: A Hungarian name from tündér, meaning “fairy.” The poet Mihály Vörösmarty coined it for his 19th-century play Csongor és Tünde, and it remains beloved in Hungary.
41. Vilde: A sassy diminutive of the Norse name Alvilde meaning “elf battle.”
42. Winky: Inspired by the female house elf in Harry Potter.

53 Edgy Elvish Names for Boys

Mischievous and magical, these elven names for boys bring plenty of charm and energy.

1. Aegnor: A Tolkien elf name meaning “fell fire” in the fictional Sindarin language.
2. Ailill: A royal name from Old Irish mythology meaning “elf.”
3. Ailwi: Meaning “ancient,” “noble,” or “elf battle.” This medieval English name carries plenty of fantastical history.
4. Alberic: An ancient Germanic boy name meaning “elf ruler,” inspired by a mythological dwarf king.
5. Albwin: An ancient Germanic name for your new little “elf friend.”
6. Alf: Meaning “elf.” This Nordic folklore name is short, sweet, and classic.
7. Alfarr: Meaning “elf army.” This Old Norse name fits the mightiest little fighters.
8. Alfbern: Combining elements that mean “elf” and “bear.” This Germanic name feels fierce.
9. Alfie: A popular nickname for Alfred that matches other Germanic elf names beautifully.
10. Alfred: A vintage name from the Old English Ælfræd, meaning “elf counsel.” Its most famous bearer is Alfred the Great, the 9th-century king of Wessex.
11. Álfur: The literal Icelandic word for “elf,” a short, distinctive moniker that still feels grounded in Norse tradition.
12. Alfvin: Meaning “elf friend.” This sweet baby boy’s name is a gorgeous Old Norse pick.
13. Algar: Meaning “elf spear.” This is a feisty option for a brave little boy.
14. Alvaro: A bold name for your little soldier meaning “elf warrior.”
15. Alvin: A variant spelling of the Germanic Albwin meaning “elf friend.” It is also famously associated with the singing chipmunk.
16. Auberon: An English variant of the Germanic Alberich, meaning “elf ruler.” Through the French form it became Oberon, Shakespeare’s king of the fairies.
17. Batī: A Punjabi entry among elf names for babies. Note that it is considered derogatory in some areas.
18. Bucca: A perky name inspired by a folkloric Cornish hobgoblin.
19. Buddy: A fun choice after the lovable main character in the holiday movie Elf.
20. Celeborn: An elven lord of Lothlórien in Tolkien’s world. His Sindarin name means “silver tree,” from celeb (“silver”) and orn (“tree”); the opening C sounds like a hard K.
21. Círdan: One of Tolkien’s elves. The name has the hardworking meaning of “ship-maker.”
22. Clurichaun: The name of a mischievous elven character in Irish folklore.
23. Dobby: A heroic house elf in Harry Potter.
24. Draug: Tolkien’s Sindarin word for “wolf” makes a badass pick among elf names for boys.
25. Duende: The Spanish word for “elf” works perfectly as a highly stylish name.
26. Eitri: Borne by a dwarf in Norse mythology. The exact meaning remains unknown, but it offers a great sound.
27. Eldacar: A regal elf name from Tolkien’s world meaning “elf helm.”
28. Eldarion: Meaning “son of the elves.” This Tolkien name is full of family virtue.
29. Elegast: Meaning “elf spirit.” This was the hero’s name in a Middle Dutch epic.
30. Elrond: The fictional name borne by the elven ruler of Rivendell in Tolkien’s universe.
31. Fëanor: A mighty Noldorin elf in Tolkien’s legendarium and the maker of the Silmarils. Fëanor means “spirit of fire”; the two dots over the ë mark it as its own syllable.
32. Fingolfin: A rhythmic Tolkien male elf name of unknown meaning.
33. Finwë: A cool, airy pick among Tolkien’s creations that possibly means “hair.”
34. Gandalf: Borne by Tolkien’s powerful wizard. This Old Norse name actually translates to “wand elf.”
35. Glorfindel: A bright name meaning “golden-haired” in Sindarin.
36. Ingálvur: A strong Faroese name meaning “elf ancestor.”
37. Joralf: A Norwegian boy’s name that likely means “king elf.”
38. Keijo: A cute name derived from the Finnish word for “fairy” or “elf.”
39. Legolas: Another highly famous fictional elven name from Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.
40. Link: A nickname for Lincoln (“lake colony”) and the famous elvish-looking archer from The Legend of Zelda.
41. Loki: The Norse god of mischief and trickery makes a fitting elf-like namesake.
42. Maeglin: A Tolkien elf name meaning “sharp glance” in Sindarin, from maeg (“sharp, piercing”) and glîn (“gleam of the eyes”).
43. Muki: The name of a fabled cave goblin in South American mythology.
44. Nickel: A potential root of this name comes from German, meaning “goblin” or “rascal.”
45. Noralf: A Nordic name meaning “north elf.” It works beautifully for a winter-born baby.
46. Oilioll: A handsome variation of the Old Irish name Ailill.
47. Oliver: A highly popular name meaning “olive tree.” It also derives from Germanic elements meaning “elf army.”
48. Quant: A cool name from Middle German with the elvish meaning of “imp” or “prankster.”
49. Sauron: A notorious Tolkien villain. This name means “the abhorred” in the fictional language of Quenya.
50. Sennin: A unique Japanese boy’s name inspired by an immortal fairy or elvish being.
51. Sindri: A Norse name meaning “sparkle” that belonged to a mythological dwarf.
52. Thranduil: An elven Tolkien character whose name means “vigorous spring” in Sindarin.
53. Trasgu: A unique name from northern Spanish mythology inspired by a goblin creature.

5 Great Gender-Neutral Elvish Names for Babies

These unisex elven names perfectly suit any little warrior or woodland sprite.

1. Aubrey: A breezy French and English unisex name from the Germanic Alberich, meaning “elf ruler.” The same root gave Shakespeare his fairy king, Oberon.
2. Donsy: A group of gnomes is called a “donsy.” This makes it a cute, quirky name for a happy baby.
3. Mage: Named after a type of sorcerer. This magic-filled title works perfectly for your little elf.
4. Puck: A mischievous imp from English folklore featured in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
5. Sindarin: The everyday elven language Tolkien created for his Grey-elves, an unexpected and melodic gender-neutral pick.

Elf Names FAQs

What Are the Most Popular Elf Names?

The most popular elf names are Oliver and Olivia, chart-topping picks that trace back to an Old Norse root meaning “elf army.” Other well-loved elf-rooted names include Faye, Alvaro, Aubrey, and Jennifer, all familiar and easy to wear while carrying a hidden woodland meaning.

What Are Some Tolkien Elvish Names?

The best-known Tolkien elvish names are Legolas, Galadriel, and Arwen, drawn from his Sindarin and Quenya-speaking elves. Fantasy fans also love Elrond, Celeborn, and Thranduil. Gandalf is often grouped in, but he is a wizard rather than an elf, so skip him if you want a true elvish pick.

What Is a Christmas Elf Name?

A classic Christmas elf name is Buddy, the gender-neutral pick from the movie Elf. For boys, the Nordic name Noralf has a wintery feel, as does Tolkien’s Celeborn, meaning “silver tree.” For girls, Lefaye, meaning “fairy” in French, adds a touch of holiday magic.

Do Elves Have Last Names?

Elves usually do not have formal last names in traditional folklore, where they go by a single given name or a descriptive title tied to their skill, home, or lineage. In modern fantasy games and books, though, elves often carry nature-inspired surnames like Nightbreeze or Silverleaf.

What Are Good Dark Elf Names?

Good dark elf names include Drizzt, Viconia, Jarlaxle, and Malice, the kind given to the Drow in fantasy settings like Dungeons and Dragons. They lean on sharp consonants and unusual vowel pairings to sound mysterious and a little intimidating.

How Do You Say Beautiful in Elvish?

Beautiful in elvish is “vanima” in Tolkien’s High Elven Quenya and “bain” in his Sindarin language. Both make gorgeous, unconventional baby names, especially for a girl who suits something soft and lyrical.

What Is a Badass Name for an Elf?

A badass elf name usually comes from warrior-themed roots: Alvaro means “elf warrior” and Gunnalf translates to “battle elf.” You can also borrow from Tolkien, with Aegnor meaning “fell fire” or Draug meaning “wolf,” both fierce enough for a little fighter.

Are There Any Real-Life Elf Names?

Yes, plenty of real-life names carry elvish meanings. Alfred means “elf counsel,” Alvin means “elf friend,” and even popular modern names like Olivia and Aubrey trace back to roots meaning “elf army” and “elf ruler.” You can give your baby a woodland meaning without anyone knowing but you.