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Names for Elf On The Shelf: 100+ Fun Ideas For Your Holiday Tradition

In today’s post, I’m going to give you over 100 ideas for names for Elf on the Shelf!

It’s become a Christmas tradition for many families: the Elf on the Shelf. 

In case you hadn’t heard, the Elf on the Shelf is a special toy elf that watches over children in the weeks leading up who reports back to Santa on their behavior. 

Some elves get into some mischief while they’re around, and some elves are well behaved.

One of the most exciting parts of starting this tradition is finding names for Elf on the Shelf.  

If you’re stumped for a name, don’t worry!  I’ve compiled a pretty comprehensive list of names for you to choose from!  

I’ve even broken them down by type! 

Links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase from any of them, at no additional cost to you.  You can find out more information by reading my full disclaimer.

Names for Elf On The Shelf Pin Image

Things To Consider When Finding Names for Elf on the Shelf

When picking a name for your Elf, there are some things you should think about. 

Do You Have An Elf on the Shelf To Name?

Before I go giving you names for Elf on the Shelf, I need to make sure you even have one!

If you’re still looking for an Elf on the Shelf, you can pick on up from Amazon here:

Picking a Pronounceable Name

A friend of mine recently told me that they gave their Elf on the Shelf  the name”Violet.”  It’s a perfectly cute and perfectly appropriate name for an Elf.  

Unfortunately, her kindergartener couldn’t quite pronounce “Violet” and it came out sounding more like the word “Violence.”

She thought nothing of it until she received a call her child’s school.  

The school counselor was concerned because her daughter was telling stories about how “Violence” came in through the window and left a mess in her house.  

Needless to say, it took a little explaining to work that one out!  

The moral of the store is make sure you child can say names for Elf on the Shelf that you pick.  

Elf on Shelf Name Additions

Some families I know have added some extra pizazz to their names for Elf on the Shelf. 

You can always make the name more formal by adding Mr. or Miss to the name.  Miss Mittens is the name of their elf. 

One friend even made their Elf on the Shelf a doctor!  Dr. Sugarplum visits their home every year. 

Adding a last name, or a double name is also fun.  

One family I know has an Elf on the Shelf named Glitter McSprinkles that visits their home every year.  

Adding something extra to your name for Elf on the Shelf is a fun way to change things up a little. 

An Elf Solution for Divorced Families

Another sweet friend told me about their family tradition.  

Since she and her children’s father are divorced, their homes have two elves.  

Their elves are twin brothers who have the rhyming names of Silly Jack and Willie Pack.  

One elf visits mom’s house and the other visits dad’s house.  

They report back to Santa together on what the kids have been up to during the holidays. 

This prevents having to exchange the Elf on the Shelf over and over again and gives each parent a chance to experience the fun in their own way.  

Elf on the Shelf Names By Category

I’ve come up with eight different types of names for Elf on the Shelf.  The categories are:

  • Christmas Adjectives
  • Holiday Decorations
  • Food and Desserts
  • Treats and Gifts 
  • Weather Words
  • Christmas Things
  • Inspired by the Movies
  • Old Fashioned Elf Names
  • And one unique bonus name!

You’re certain to find something that works for your family on this list of names for Elf on the Shelf!

Elf on the shelf sitting in succulents

Christmas Adjective Names for Elf on the Shelf

These Elf names are inspired by adjectives that describe things you’ll find around during the Holidays.  

  1. Evergreen
  2. Fancy
  3. Festive
  4. Golden
  5. Greeny
  6. Happy
  7. Icy
  8. Jolly
  9. Joy
  10. Laughy
  11. Lovely
  12. Lucky
  13. Magic
  14. Merry
  15. Rebel
  16. Red
  17. Silver
  18. Sparkle
  19. Tiny
  20. Trouble
  21. Twinkle

Holiday Decoration Elf Names 

All of these Elf on the Shelf names come from common decorations that you’ll see at Christmastime.  

  1. Angel
  2. Bell 
  3. Bow
  4. Garland
  5. Glitter
  6. Holly
  7. Ivy
  8. Mistletoe
  9. Poinsettia
  10. Ribbon
  11. Skirt
  12. Star
  13. Stocking
  14. Tinsel 
  15. Topper

Elf on the Shelf waiting for his name

Food and Dessert Names

This is my favorite category.  All of these names for Elf on the Shelf are inspired by foods, spices, and desserts you’ll eat during the Holidays. 

  1. Candy
  2. Chip
  3. Cider
  4. Cinnamon
  5. Cookie
  6. Cranberry
  7. Fruitcake
  8. Ginger
  9. Marshmallow
  10. Nutmet
  11. Pepperming
  12. Popcorn
  13. Pumpkin
  14. Skittles
  15. Snickers
  16. Sugar
  17. Sugarplum
  18. Sweetie
  19. Taffy
  20. Twinkie
  21. Vanilla

Elf Names From Treats and Gifts 

These Elf names come from treats and gifts you might receive during the season. 

  1. Boots
  2. Chestnut
  3. Frisbee
  4. Mittens
  5. Teddy

Weather Words Names 

All of these Elf on the Shelf names are taken from winter weather. 

  1. Blizzard
  2. Ice
  3. Icicle
  4. Snowball
  5. Snowflake
  6. Winter

Christmas-y Names

These names come from words that just feel like Christmas!

  1. Bliss
  2. Carole
  3. Holiday
  4. Wish
  5. Wonder

Elf Names Inspired by the Movies

These names are inspired by classic Christmas movies.  I’ll put the movie the name comes from in parenthesis for you!

  1. Ana (Frozen)
  2. Bob (A Christmas Carole)
  3. Buck (Uncle Buck)
  4. Buddy (Elf)
  5. Charlie (A Charlie Brown Christmas)
  6. Cindy Lou (How the Grinch Stole Christmas)
  7. Clark (National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation)
  8. Comet (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer)
  9. Dancer (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer)
  10. Dasher (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer)
  11. Elsa (Frozen)
  12. Frosty (Frosty the Snowman)
  13. George (It’s A Wonderful Life)
  14. Jack (The Nightmare Before Christmas)
  15. Kevin (Home Alone)
  16. Kris (The Santa Clause)
  17. Kristoff (Frozen)
  18. Lucy (While You Were Sleeping)
  19. Max (How the Grinch Stole Christmas)
  20. Olaf (Frozen)
  21. Ralphie (A Christmas Story)
  22. Rudolph (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer)
  23. Sparky (National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation)
  24. Susan (Miracle on 34th Street)
  25. Sven (Frozen)
  26. Tiny Tim (A Christmas Carole)
  27. Hans (Die Hard – don’t @ me!  It’s a Christmas movie)

Old Fashioned Elf Names

These are just some good old fashioned names that just seem super appropriate for an Elf on the Shelf.

  1. Elfie
  2. Elfis
  3. Evie
  4. Gloria
  5. Goldie
  6. Jingle
  7. Noel
  8. Pixie
  9. Punkie
  10. Spike
  11. Sprite

Bonus Name for Elf on the Shelf

In the spirit of 2020, a good (albeit silly) friend gave us this final name that is my gift to you.

BONUS NAME:  ‘Rona

Looking for other fun projects to do this holiday season?  Check out this Popsicle Stick Sled Tutorial or this Snow Ski Ornament Tutorial! 

Names for Elf On The Shelf: 100+ Fun Ideas For Your Holiday Tradition