Naming your Elf on the Shelf is the first big decision of the season, and the one your kids will remember longest. The tradition began with a 2005 picture book, and in that story the scout elf receives its Christmas magic once the family gives it a name – so the name matters.
This guide collects 90+ Elf on the Shelf names for boys, girls and unisex elves, plus funny puns, Christmas-word names, pop-culture elves and the nine reindeer. It also tells the real story behind Donner and Blitzen, whose names mean thunder and lightning in German and began life as Dutch words – the sort of detail kids love when the elf is introduced. Pick a name you can say a lot over the next 24 nights.
Quick answer: the 12 best Elf on the Shelf names
| Name | Style | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Scout | Classic | The official term for the elf – instantly in character |
| Jingle | Boy or unisex | Sounds like a bell and is easy for small kids to say |
| Peppermint | Girl or unisex | Sweet, festive and easy to shorten to Minty |
| Twinkle | Girl or unisex | Pairs naturally with the lights and the tree |
| Gingersnap | Unisex | Sounds mischievous, which suits a moving elf |
| Tinsel | Unisex | Short, shiny and a good match for glittery arrivals |
| Kringle | Boy | From Kris Kringle, a traditional name for Santa |
| Noelle | Girl | The French word for Christmas, in its feminine form |
| Sprinkles | Unisex | Playful and made for baking-themed scenes |
| Sir Pranks-a-Lot | Funny | Tells the kids what to expect before the first prank |
| Elfis | Funny | A pun for adults that kids love once explained |
| Marshmallow | Unisex | Soft and cuddly, ideal for a gentle elf |
Boy Elf on the Shelf names
| Name | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Scout | The official name for the elf, and a friendly boy name too |
| Jingle | Bell sound, very festive |
| Kringle | A nod to Kris Kringle |
| Noel | French for Christmas |
| Twig | Small and woodsy, like a tiny elf |
| Tinsel | Shiny and short |
| Cocoa | Warm and sweet for a hot-chocolate elf |
| Pepper | Spicy and spirited |
| Nutmeg | A baking spice that sounds cheeky |
| Sprout | A small, energetic name |
| Chimney | For an elf who loves to arrive from above |
| Toffee | Sweet with a little crunch |
| Bandit | Fits an elf who steals the cookies |
| Rascal | For the mischievous type |
| Ziggy | Zippy and fun to say |
| Pip | Tiny and cute |
| Biscuit | Cosy and kid-friendly |
| Frost | Short and wintry |
| Jasper | A real name with a storybook feel |
| Fitz | Quick and a bit silly |
Girl Elf on the Shelf names
| Name | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Holly | The classic Christmas plant name |
| Ginger | A gingerbread nod |
| Noelle | The feminine form of Noel |
| Joy | Straight from the carols |
| Carol | A Christmas song as a name |
| Poinsettia | The festive plant, shortened to Posy |
| Sugarplum | From the ballet and the old poem |
| Peppermint | Sweet and candy-striped |
| Snowflake | Delicate and wintry |
| Twinkle | Matches tree lights |
| Cinnamon | Warm and spicy |
| Clementine | The citrus found in Christmas stockings |
| Marzipan | A sweet holiday treat |
| Juniper | Evergreen and elegant |
| Tilly | Short and cheerful |
| Merry | Says Christmas in one word |
| Hazel | A nutty, woodland name |
| Winnie | Soft and sweet |
| Aurora | The northern lights, fitting for the North Pole |
| Pixie | A tiny, magical name |
Unisex Elf on the Shelf names
| Name | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Sparkle | Bright and simple |
| Gingersnap | Cookie-themed and playful |
| Snickerdoodle | Fun for kids to shout |
| Mistletoe | A holiday plant name |
| Evergreen | A tree for any elf |
| Flurry | A light snowfall in name form |
| Icicle | Cold and cute |
| Cupcake | For a sweet, small elf |
| Gumdrop | A candy name that sounds bouncy |
| Sprinkles | Baking-themed |
| Marshmallow | Soft and cuddly |
| Bauble | An ornament name |
| Garland | A decoration name with a touch of class |
| Wren | A small winter bird |
| Yule | The old winter festival name |
Funny Elf on the Shelf names
Puns are the fastest way to get adults in on the joke. Some of these are better for older kids who get the wordplay.
| Name | The joke |
|---|---|
| Elfis | A play on Elvis |
| Elf Sheeran | A play on Ed Sheeran |
| Sir Pranks-a-Lot | Warns the kids about the mischief |
| Fa La La | From the carol chorus |
| Tinselina | Tinsel with a dramatic ending |
| Elfred | A play on Alfred |
| Elfonzo | A play on Alfonzo |
| Mince Pie | A British Christmas treat |
| Sleighton | A pun on sleigh |
| Elfie Bean | A silly rhyme for little kids |
| Snowball | Good for an elf that throws things |
Christmas-word and winter names
| Name | Where it comes from |
|---|---|
| Advent | The countdown to Christmas |
| Wreath | The door decoration |
| Stocking | Hung by the chimney |
| Nutcracker | The toy and the ballet |
| Eggnog | The holiday drink |
| Gingerbread | The holiday biscuit |
| Fruitcake | The classic gift |
| Tannenbaum | German for fir tree, from the carol |
| Candy Cane | The striped sweet |
| Pinecone | A woodland decoration |
| Blizzard | A heavy snowstorm |
| Frostbite | Cheeky and cold |
| Sleet | A wintry mix |
For more winter inspiration, see our guides to names that mean ice and names that mean cold.
Reindeer names, and the real story behind them
Reindeer names are always popular for elves. Eight come from the 1823 poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas”, often called “The Night Before Christmas”, whose authorship is still debated. The ninth, Rudolph, came later.
| Name | The story |
|---|---|
| Dasher | The first reindeer named in the poem |
| Dancer | The second reindeer |
| Prancer | The third reindeer |
| Vixen | The fourth reindeer; a vixen is a female fox |
| Comet | The fifth reindeer |
| Cupid | The sixth reindeer |
| Donner | Spelled Donder in many early versions; Donner is German for thunder, and the original poem used the Dutch Dunder |
| Blitzen | German for lightning; the original poem used the Dutch Blixem |
| Rudolph | Created in 1939 by Robert L. May for a Montgomery Ward booklet, long after the original eight |
Donner and Blitzen are really thunder and lightning. If your elf is a storm-lover, our guide to names that mean storm has 90+ more thunder and lightning names from around the world.
Famous elves as names
| Name | From |
|---|---|
| Buddy | The 2003 film Elf |
| Hermey | The elf who wants to be a dentist in the 1964 TV special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer |
| Bernard | The head elf in The Santa Clause (1994) |
| Dobby | The house-elf in the Harry Potter books |
| Legolas | The Elvish archer in The Lord of the Rings |
| Arwen | Another Elf from Tolkien |
| Elrond | The Elf lord in Tolkien’s books |
| Galadriel | The Elf Lady of Lothlorien in Tolkien |
Note: Tolkien’s Elves are tall, ancient and nothing like Christmas elves, which is part of the fun of giving your elf one of these names. If you like that style, see our fantasy male names.
How to choose an Elf on the Shelf name
Let the kids vote. Narrow the list to three and let them choose. A name they picked sticks better than one you announced.
Match the elf’s personality. A prankster elf suits Bandit or Sir Pranks-a-Lot. A gentle one suits Marshmallow or Cocoa.
Keep it easy to say. You will say it dozens of times and little kids need to pronounce it. Short names win.
Avoid names that clash with the family. A name that sounds like a sibling or a pet gets confusing quickly.
Plan the name reveal. Keep a note card with the name and the elf’s arrival date so the story stays consistent from year to year.
FAQs about Elf on the Shelf names
Does the Elf on the Shelf have an official name? The official term is scout elf, and Scout is a popular name. Each family names its own elf, and in the original book the elf is given its Christmas magic when it is named.
What are the names of Santa’s reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen, plus Rudolph. Rudolph was added in 1939.
What do Donner and Blitzen mean? In German, Donner means thunder and Blitz means lightning. The original poem gave them as the Dutch Dunder and Blixem.
Who invented Rudolph? Robert L. May wrote the Rudolph story in 1939 for the department store Montgomery Ward. He was not one of the original eight reindeer.
What are good funny names for an elf? Elfis, Elf Sheeran, Sir Pranks-a-Lot and Sleighton are crowd-pleasers. See the funny names table above for more.
What are good girl names for an Elf on the Shelf? Holly, Noelle, Joy, Twinkle and Peppermint are festive favorites. Aurora and Juniper suit families who want something a little more grown-up.
Can I use a family name for the elf? Yes, though a name tied to a real person can get confusing. A twist on a family name – a nickname or a shortened form – gives you the personal touch without the mix-up.
More names to explore
- Names That Mean Storm – Donner and Blitzen and 90+ more
- Names That Mean Ice – frost and snow names with real meanings
- Names That Mean Cold – winter names from many languages
- Fantasy Male Names – for elves of the Tolkien kind
- Funny Turkey Names – the Thanksgiving edition
- Name Meanings – browse every meaning guide
Noah Callister is the founder of Naimez.com — a names resource he built after spending three frustrating weeks searching for a reliable name for his nephew. He covers everything from baby names to team names, with accuracy as the only standard that matters.