Elliot (which boasts several spellings depending upon how many 'l's or 't's you want to use) is a winner -- it has the ideal quality of being neither too common nor weirdly unique. Elliot had a style boost back in the early 1980s via the young hero of the movie "E.T." , who was named Elliot. Since then there have been Elliots on "Law & Order: SVU" and "Mad Men."

Two of the name's spellings are running neck and neck: in 2011 Elliot was Number 272, Elliott 305. It is even more popular in countries like England and Sweden.

Elliot namesakes include composer Carter, actor Gould, and photographer Elliott Erwitt.