Elmer comes from the Old English Æthelmær and means "noble and famous", from æthel, noble, and mær, famous. It became a popular American first name in the 19th century in honor of the Revolutionary patriots Ebenezer and Jonathan Elmer, and today it is used mainly by families from Central America. Elmer ranked number 850 in 2000, peaked at 650 in 2003, has stayed between number 1120 and 1351 for a decade and stands at 1223 in 2025.