Elvish Names - Where do they come from, and what do they mean?

Elves are characters that are inherently associated with Santa Claus. It is hard to imagine Santa's village without them. They help him sort letters, make toys, wrap presents and load his sleigh. Not many people realise that the elves originate from Germanic mythology. You can find them in fairy tales, films and fantasy literature. What are the most popular elvish names? What is their etymology? Read on and find out.

Who are the elves?

Elves are creatures whose appearance has changed over the years, depending on people's beliefs. They were originally identified with forest sprites or fairies. Subsequently, folklore culture made these figures take on the appearance of small humanoids with youthful faces. However, they gained the greatest popularity by becoming Santa's helpers. They were first mentioned in this role in literature in 1856 by Louis May Alcott.

What do Santa's elves look like?

The elves who form Santa's guard have various appearances. Some imagine them as children, others as little human beings with adult facial features. At times, they resemble dwarves and even goblins. However, the distinctive pointed ears are the hallmark of all elves, without a doubt.
It is worth mentioning that their appearance also determines their diligence. Thanks to their low height, elves are agile. Shortly after Santa reads the letter from the child, they set about producing a particular toy. This is quite a challenge, as the creatures have to make hundreds of thousands of gifts for children worldwide on short notice.

Elvish names – What do they mean?

The names that the elves receive from Santa Claus are usually derived from their duties and skills, character traits, or appearance. In Poland, we can therefore find elves with names such as:Trzęsiportek (Shakeshoes),Narzekajło (Grouchy),Obrażella (Huffy),Złośliwek (Meanie),Mądrutka (Smarty).
While the elves are happy to help Santa with daily tasks when giving them a specific job, Santa also pays attention to the type of duties, e.g. Obrażella often likes to sulk when assigned to activities other than the ones she enjoys best. In addition, elves often indulge in their passions in their spare time, e.g. Mądrutka likes to read books. 


Elves are creatures that date back as far as Germanic mythology, although they are frequently identified with the figure of Santa Claus. They are diligent and have distinctive pointed ears and small stature. In some stories, they are depicted as small children and in others as adults of low height. Elves also have distinctive names derived from their character traits, duties or interests. Among Santa's guards, you can meet the elves Trzęsiportek (Shakeshoes), Mądrutka (Smarty) or Narzekajło (Grouchy).