Elspeth

Meaning of Elspeth

Elspeth, as a feminine given name, constitutes the Scottish variant of the Hebrew-derived Elizabeth, having emerged in medieval Scotland via the anglicization of Gaelic Ailis and ultimately tracing its semantic essence to the biblical Elisheba (“God is my oath”); it thus retains connotations of devout commitment. In the United States, its prevalence remains modest and stable, with annual occurrences ranging from 12 to 24 newborns and rank positions between 927th and 932nd over the last five years, indicative of neither pronounced ascendancy nor decline but rather of a sustained, specialized usage pattern. Phonetically rendered /ˈɛlspɛθ/, it embodies distinct Scottish consonantal features while aligning with Anglo-American pronunciation norms. Analytically, Elspeth’s appeal resides in its combination of technical etymological depth and measured distinctiveness, offering a cooled yet resolutely formal option for those seeking a name with both historical pedigree and nuanced resonance.