Eldridge

Eldridge is a name used as both a surname and a given name. In English-speaking countries it has appeared since the medieval period and has since spread through migration and cultural exchange. The form Eldridge is one of several variants that include Eldred and Aldridge, reflecting its historical roots in English onomastics.

The etymology of Eldridge is not definitively settled, but it is generally treated as originating from Old English elements that may derive from a personal name or a place-name element. As a surname, it is commonly understood to have developed as either a patronymic or a toponymic name, and as a given name it has occasionally been used to honor familial or ancestral connections.

Geographically, there are several towns and communities named Eldridge in North America, a reflection of the broader practice of adopting surnames as place names. Beyond geography, Eldridge appears in various institutions, businesses, and cultural references, primarily in regions with English linguistic heritage.

Notable people with the surname Eldridge or with Eldridge as a given name have appeared across politics, sports, the arts, and academia. The given name Eldridge is exemplified by Leroy Eldridge Cleaver, an American writer and civil rights activist. In general, the name Eldridge is recognized as a relatively uncommon but enduring element of English-language naming practices.