Elmira

A name with various origins, Elmira combines the sounds of multicultural Mira with the popular El- beginning. Despite this, the name is rarely heard in the US, though it does rank in the Top 100 names in Azerbaijan.

On one hand, Elmira has Turkish and Persian origins, and is likely made up of the elements el, meaning "homeland, nation, country" and amir meaning "prince" or "commander". Put together, the name begins to feel bold and powerful, with a meaning that has been translated as "ruler of the people".

Alternatively, it has Spanish and Germanic roots, and is a contracted form OF Edelmira, meaning "noble and famous", or perhaps "noble peace".

As a Russian name, it is made up from the phrase elektrifikatsiya mira meaning "electrification of the world". This was created by communist parents which may explain why it hasn't remained popular today.

Elmira is also the name of multiple places in the US and Canada, including Elmira, New York, where Mark Twain was buried in 1910. The name did rank in the US Top 1000 until the 1930s, but more recently, it has only been given to around 10 girls each year.

Pronounced el-MEER-uh.

As of October 2026, Elmira ranked #9027 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #392 in 1887.