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    Home » Holidays » Elf on the Shelf Names: The Ultimate Guide to Naming Your Elf

    Elf on the Shelf Names: The Ultimate Guide to Naming Your Elf

    Holidays

    This post may contain affiliate links view our disclosure

    The time is coming. It will be here before you know it. Elf on the Shelf time! If you’re introducing a new elf into the mix, you’re going to need a name. The great thing is that there are tons of options for Elf on the Shelf names your children can use to name their new Christmas friend!

    There are naming ideas that fit all kinds of personalities and interests! We’ve got a few ideas to help everyone choosing Christmas Elf names!

    We’ve even got a Christmas elf name generator that will have the whole family laughing and can help you start brainstorming ideas. Scroll down to the bottom of the post to check it out!

    Make Elf on the Shelf Names easy with our guide to unique names, boy names, girl names, funny names, and names inspired by the holidays! Get your free printable elf name generator to come up with some funny names too!

    ELF ON THE SHELF NAMES

    Part of the magic of an Elf on the Shelf arriving at your home for the first time is the joy of naming your new friend. Most parents wait until their children are old enough to understand the concept of a name so that they can join in on the fun.

    Sometimes, you may find your children are stuck on what to name their new elf friend. They may not be able to think up a name they like, or worse, two or more siblings are fighting over the final decision.

    When it comes to having an elf come to visit for the holiday season, you can choose between a male or female friend. This choice is usually up to the parents, of course, so the surprise of seeing the elf that first morning is half the fun for your kids.

    A Quick Word about Choosing an Elf Name

    Make sure that when looking through Elf on the Shelf names, you choose something your kids will love for 4-5 years. The same elf visits every year, so you may want to stay away from names that are specific to your child’s interests now.

    For example, Elmo may be cute for a 3-year-old, but when he’s 7 years old and still believes in the magic of Santa and his elves, he may not find the name so cute anymore.

    Below are several Christmas elf names, separated by gender. That way, no matter which Elf on the Shelf visits you during the holidays, your family can find a name that is suitable for your festive buddy!


    GENERAL IDEAS

    • Name your elf after a family member.
    • Name your elf after a favorite book, movie or television character.
    • Name your elf using a combination of things like — favorite color and favorite food. WARNING this could get pretty silly!
    • Name your elf after a character from a Christmas movie:
      • National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – Clark, Griswold
      • A Christmas Story – Ralphie
      • Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Rudolph, Clarice, Hermey
      • Elf – Buddy
      • A Christmas Carol – Tiny Tim, Crachit
      • Grinch – Max, Cindy Lou
    • Name your elf after a reindeer – Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen or SVEN!

    Elf on the shelf playing outside - Elf on the Shelf ideas

    GIRL ELF NAMES

    First, let’s looking at naming a girl elf. We have included some trendy names as well as more traditional options for your children to choose from below! You can also check out our alphabetical list of Girl Elf on the Shelf Names!

    Traditional Girl Elf on the Shelf Names

    • Beatrice
    • Margaret
    • Grace
    • Mary (fun spin on “Merry Christmas” can be done with this choice!)
    • Nellie
    • Clara
    • Hannah
    • Katherine (or nicknames from this one, like Kate, Katie, or Kathy)
    • Elizabeth
    • Amelia
    • Anna
    • Julia

    Trendy Girl Elf on the Shelf Names

    • Olivia
    • Isabella
    • Madison (or Maddie, for short)
    • Charlotte
    • Emily
    • Sophie
    • Scarlett
    • Layla
    • Zoe
    • Lily
    • Ava

    BOY ELF NAMES

    Elf on the Shelf names for a boy can be categorized the same way as girls. You have your more old-fashioned options as well as more popular names that are commonly seen today. Take a look at our lists of male elf names below!

    Traditional Boy Elf Names

    • James
    • William
    • George
    • Henry
    • Nicholas/Nick (Perfect fit for an elf of Santa’s!)
    • Joseph
    • Robert
    • Charles
    • Samuel
    • Fred
    • John
    • Michael

    Trendy Boy Elf Names

    • Jackson/Jaxon
    • Landon
    • Xavier
    • Aiden
    • Liam
    • Grayson
    • Finn
    • Arlo
    • Gunner
    • Bentley
    • Carter
    • Logan

    CHRISTMAS ELF NAMES

    Of course, if you want something a little more festive, you can always choose a Christmas name for your Elf on the Shelf. One that reminds you of the season or the holidays. Check out this list and see if you can find a name for your elf (either gender works here!)

    • Snowflake
    • Ginger (Hello, Mr. Gingerbread Man, let me borrow your name!)
    • Frost
    • Jingle
    • Snowbunny/Snowball
    • Claus
    • Mistletoe
    • Tinsel
    • Candy
    • Cane
    • North
    • Holly
    • Jolly
    • Joy
    • Eve
    • Noelle
    • Twinkle
    • Cocoa
    • Cookie
    • Kris
    • Kringle
    • Peppermint

    No matter what you decide to name your Elf on the Shelf, the most important thing is that you have fun! When introducing your child to his/her elf, be sure to read the accompanying book about your new family friend and his connection to the jolly man at the North Pole.

    We hope that our lists of boy and girl Elf on the Shelf names help you choose the best name for your own elf when the time comes!

    ELF ON THE SHELF NAMES FAQ

    What if the kids can’t agree on a name?

    Choose more than one name! Many people have a first name, a middle name, and a last name so why should it be any different when choosing Elf on the Shelf names?

    What happens if you need to rename your elf?

    Have no fear! There are no rules in the Elf on the Shelf game. It’s meant to be a fun family tradition. If you need to rename your elf for any reason, just go for it!

    If something happens to your elf and you need to get a new one, you can sub a new one in or go through a new renaming ceremony. Trust me, if you’re mellow about it, your kids will be too! Have no worries!

    Where can you buy your Elf on the Shelf?

    You can use any elf doll or figuring that you have or find. Most people go with the official Elf on the Shelf which you can buy on Amazon or at other local retailers like Target. But really, any elf will do!

    There really all no rules when it comes to Elf on the Shelf and Elf on the Shelf names! Just have fun and create a magical, memorable tradition for your family!

    Leave a comment and let us know what your family named your Elf!

    ELF ON THE SHELF NAMES GENERATOR

    If you’re looking for a fun way to come up with Elf on the Shelf names for your elf (or just for yourself) then try our Elf on the Shelf names generator to get the brainstorming started!

    Everyone in the family can have their very own elf name!

    Elf on the Shelf Name Generator

    CLICK TO PRINT YOUR OWN ELF NAME GENERATOR!

    What elf name did you get with the name generator? And please leave a comment letting us know your elf’s name!

    We love hearing what everyone decides on for their elf names!

    MORE ELF ON THE SHELF IDEAS

    • Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Arrival
    • Elf on the Shelf Accessories You Must Have!
    • Elf on the Shelf Coloring Pages
    • 50+ Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas
    • Week of Elf on the Shelf Ideas
    • 2nd Week of Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas

    Make Elf on the Shelf Names easy with our guide to unique names, boy names, girl names, funny names, and names inspired by the holidays! Get your free printable elf name generator to come up with some funny names too!

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    Filed Under: Holidays Tagged With: Christmas, elf on the shelf ideas, printables

    About Mariah

    Mariah is the mom of 2 and a former educator (preschool - 4th grade & special education) with a degree in human development. As a busy mom living in with a multi-generational family under one roof (with 4 dogs!), life is sometimes chaotic! She aims to share easy ideas that we can all use in our lives! Read more about Mariah!

    Comments

    1. Margaret Smith says

      October 22, 2018 at 2:04 pm

      Candy Wonderland…kind of a cute name. I like it.

      Reply
    2. Anne Higgins says

      October 22, 2018 at 8:16 pm

      Buddy

      Reply
    3. Candi says

      October 23, 2018 at 4:27 am

      Our Elf on the Shelf is named Rosie. She gets into all kinds of mischief. But, we still love her.

      Reply
    4. Sarah A Cascio says

      October 23, 2018 at 5:09 am

      My now 10 year old daughter (she was 8 at the time) cleverly named our Elf on the Shelf “Elfis,” as a play on ELVIS, because she knows I’m an Elvis lover. LOL! We used to have an ornament that played “Blue Christmas,” and my daughter decided whilst listening that ELFIS was the best name! Whatta cutie! LOL!

      Reply
    5. Brittany says

      October 23, 2018 at 6:34 am

      I would name him Fred.

      Reply
    6. Tracy Shafer says

      October 23, 2018 at 10:12 am

      If I had one I would name it Bert!

      Reply
    7. Antoinette M says

      October 23, 2018 at 11:50 am

      Jolly von Twinkletoes!

      Reply
    8. Tabitha Eason says

      October 23, 2018 at 3:13 pm

      Our elf’s name is Jingle Evergreen

      Reply
    9. Mellissa C says

      October 23, 2018 at 4:52 pm

      I got Candy Winterville!

      Reply
    10. Annie Skali says

      October 23, 2018 at 6:43 pm

      Elfy (yeah, not quite unique but cute!)

      Reply
    11. Hanna D. says

      October 23, 2018 at 7:34 pm

      Our elf is called Steve.

      Reply
    12. beth shepherd says

      October 23, 2018 at 9:04 pm

      We would name him Larry. Thank you!

      Reply
    13. Ashley c says

      October 23, 2018 at 9:29 pm

      We don’t have an elf yet! The name I get is jolly winterville

      Reply
    14. Nicole Lancaster says

      October 23, 2018 at 10:04 pm

      I would name my Elf On A Shelf Tinsel.

      Reply
    15. Ronda Patrick says

      October 24, 2018 at 9:23 am

      Using the name generator I am Jangle McMittens. :)

      Reply
    16. Peggy Johnson says

      October 24, 2018 at 7:51 pm

      We would name him “Buddy”

      Reply
    17. Alexandra Y says

      October 24, 2018 at 9:38 pm

      My elf name is Jolly Chillson.

      Reply
    18. Casandra LaMonaca says

      October 25, 2018 at 10:31 am

      I look forward to starting this tradition with my little girl. I like the Christmas themed names like Ginger, Joy, Snowflake or Twinkle but will let her choose a name she likes. I got Snowflake Sweetkins on the name generator.

      Reply
    19. Christine says

      October 25, 2018 at 11:05 pm

      the two we have are called hersheys and snickers

      Reply
    20. courtney b says

      October 26, 2018 at 7:22 am

      snowflake wonderland

      lol sounds like a stripper

      Reply
    21. Elizabeth Miller says

      October 28, 2018 at 12:24 pm

      Ours is named Eddie Elf. My daughter keeps saying Eddie needs a friend.

      Reply
    22. Sylvia says

      November 1, 2018 at 8:12 pm

      WE had one named Pickle.

      Reply
    23. Francine Anchondo says

      November 5, 2018 at 1:27 pm

      I would name him George.

      Reply
    24. Nicole D. says

      November 8, 2018 at 12:54 pm

      I got Sweet O’Gingerbread with the name generator!

      Reply
    25. Stephanie Liske says

      November 8, 2018 at 11:32 pm

      We named him North.

      Reply
    26. Mary Gardner says

      November 9, 2018 at 3:35 pm

      Our Elf’s name is Snowflake.

      Reply
    27. Ashley Madden says

      November 10, 2018 at 5:46 am

      Spencer Jingles is what my daughters named our elf.

      Reply
    28. Kiara says

      November 10, 2018 at 12:03 pm

      If I recall the offical website does have a popular name list for the elf and his companions (such as the reindeer) I would probably name mine Buddy or Hermey like you suggested as Rudolph and Elf are great movies!

      Reply
    29. Jammie Morey says

      November 10, 2018 at 6:49 pm

      We would name ours Mister Silly Pants

      Reply
    30. Brittany L says

      November 11, 2018 at 5:46 am

      Happy Sweetkins is the name that came up on the generator! I love it and will be using it this year, if I win!

      Reply
    31. Alex S. says

      November 11, 2018 at 9:21 am

      Ralph!

      Reply
    32. Robin says

      November 11, 2018 at 9:27 am

      Ours would be named Candy Frostington.

      Reply
    33. Gina says

      November 11, 2018 at 12:03 pm

      I got Peppermint Play Well!

      Reply
    34. Ed says

      November 11, 2018 at 1:04 pm

      Tinsel Sparkleson!

      Reply
    35. Elaine Powell says

      November 11, 2018 at 2:44 pm

      Bobbie for our granddaughter ‘s Elf.

      Reply
    36. Laurie Emerson says

      November 11, 2018 at 8:15 pm

      I am Happy Playwell.

      Reply
    37. Paula Hafner says

      November 11, 2018 at 9:43 pm

      We have a boy elf named Elfie and a girl named Candi Cane.

      Reply
    38. Brianna Cavins says

      November 11, 2018 at 10:36 pm

      My son said ours would be named Elferdo haha!

      Reply
    39. Danielle Lindquist says

      November 12, 2018 at 12:32 am

      My son named our elf Snowflake!

      Reply
    40. Laura DeLaRosa says

      November 12, 2018 at 1:03 am

      My elf name would be Happy O’Gingerbread.

      Reply
    41. Jamie Martin says

      November 12, 2018 at 1:52 am

      Chilly Von Twinkletoes reporting in!

      Reply
      • nicole bowers says

        November 12, 2018 at 3:10 am

        My elf name would be Sweet Tinselson!!

        Reply
    42. Leela says

      November 12, 2018 at 3:08 am

      I would name him Elfo.

      Reply
    43. Denise W says

      November 12, 2018 at 9:43 am

      It looks like it’s Jingle O’Merry. It sort of fits! Thank you!

      Reply
    44. Carrie Sizemor says

      November 12, 2018 at 10:05 am

      Jimmy Jolly

      Reply
    45. Sheila Rominger says

      November 12, 2018 at 10:51 am

      I would name it Bartleby Buster Brown

      Reply
    46. kathy pease says

      November 12, 2018 at 11:02 am

      I would name my elf George

      Reply
    47. Kerri W says

      November 12, 2018 at 12:21 pm

      We would name our new elf Holly!!

      Reply
    48. Trisha Musgrave says

      November 12, 2018 at 2:10 pm

      Our elfs name is Elfie lol my girls named it when they were little.

      Reply
    49. Julieh says

      November 12, 2018 at 5:05 pm

      We named our elf Ermie.

      Reply
    50. STEPHANIE MACDONALD says

      November 12, 2018 at 5:13 pm

      SPRITE VON TWINKLETOES

      Reply
    51. Stephanie Larison says

      November 12, 2018 at 6:04 pm

      Sprite Sweetkins is the name I got, how cute!

      Reply
    52. Amber Hensley says

      November 12, 2018 at 7:57 pm

      Our elf on the shelves name is “Elfie”

      Reply
    53. Trisha McKee says

      November 12, 2018 at 8:28 pm

      Tiny Von Twinkletoes. There is not much room for improvement there! I love it!

      Reply
    54. Leah Shumack says

      November 12, 2018 at 9:18 pm

      If I use my daughter’s name then our elf would be named Snowflake McCheer! She would love it!

      Reply
    55. Kelsey Vinson says

      November 12, 2018 at 9:24 pm

      Merry Cookieberg

      Reply
    56. Janine Hwang says

      November 12, 2018 at 9:26 pm

      Chilly McCheer! How cute

      Reply
    57. Sand says

      November 12, 2018 at 9:59 pm

      Sprite Sweetkins.

      Reply
    58. Vikki L Billings says

      November 12, 2018 at 10:27 pm

      I would name my Elf Ernie!

      Reply
    59. Angel Collins says

      December 2, 2019 at 11:13 pm

      We are new this year to elf on the shelf and we are already late by starting tonight, the 2nd day of December. We are making our elf Chad Chillison. Chad is the name my husband wanted to name our last child if it was a boy but she ended up being a girl (I prayed hard since we already have 2 boys). We are very excited for this, bc of my 6 year old daughter’s personality she makes doing things extra special.

      Reply
    60. Donna says

      December 10, 2019 at 1:50 pm

      Our elf’s name is Tinsel! I love these name ideas!

      Reply
    61. Sesame Chong says

      November 30, 2020 at 2:51 am

      Tinsel Winterville!

      Reply
      • Mackenzie says

        November 30, 2020 at 1:19 pm

        That’s a cute name

        Reply
    62. Mackenzie says

      November 30, 2020 at 1:18 pm

      Our elf is the best her name is jolly

      Reply
    63. Mackenzie says

      November 30, 2020 at 1:19 pm

      That’s a cute name

      Reply
    64. Dayna says

      November 14, 2021 at 10:25 am

      Me and my friend and my brother have a electric on the shelf. They are sometimes naughty but it is fun waking up every morning trying to find them.

      Reply
    65. hi says

      November 21, 2021 at 4:05 pm

      This year my elf,s name is charlie, but we can never remember the names from last year so we always choose new ones! in our family we have two elves and a deer

      Reply
    66. Quinn says

      June 17, 2022 at 9:44 am

      Our elf’s name is Ellie Sparkle

      Reply
    67. Shevy says

      December 4, 2022 at 9:06 am

      I named my elf’s marry & Timber

      Reply

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