What does Eilidh mean?
Eilidh is a Scottish Gaelic name linked to Helen, “sun” or “light.”
What does Elspeth mean?
Elspeth is the Scottish form of Elizabeth, “God is my oath.”
Eilidh vs Elspeth
Which is more popular?
Elspeth is more popular than Eilidh today: about 14 US babies were given the name Elspeth in 2025, compared with 12 named Eilidh.
| Eilidh | Elspeth | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Sun, light | God is my oath |
| Origin | Scottish | Scottish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | AY-lee | EL-speth |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1999 | 1914 |
| Peak year | 2019 (18) | 1984 (39) |
| In 2025 | 12 | 14 |
| Trend | Rising | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Eilidh
Elspeth
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Eilidh | Elspeth |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 81 | 104 |
| 2010s | 108 | 164 |
| 2000s | 81 | 125 |
| 1990s | 5 | 105 |
| 1980s | 0 | 240 |
| 1970s | 0 | 36 |
| 1960s | 0 | 26 |
| 1950s | 0 | 33 |
| 1940s | 0 | 27 |
| 1930s | 0 | 18 |
| 1920s | 0 | 25 |
| 1910s | 0 | 16 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Eilidh or Elspeth more popular?
Elspeth is more popular than Eilidh today: about 14 US babies were given the name Elspeth in 2025, compared with 12 named Eilidh.
What is the difference between Eilidh and Elspeth?
Eilidh means Sun, light (Scottish origin), while Elspeth means God is my oath (Scottish origin).
Which name is older, Eilidh or Elspeth?
In US records, Eilidh first appears in 1999 and Elspeth in 1914, so Elspeth has the longer recorded history.