Elle Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: EL /ɛl/
Origin: French; English
Meaning: French: she; English: light
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Elle has its roots in the French language, deriving from the word "elle," which means "she" or "her." This term can be traced back to Old French, which evolved from the Latin word "illa," also meaning "she." The transition from Latin to Old French occurred during the medieval period, as the Romance languages began to develop from Vulgar Latin. The name Elle entered the English lexicon through the influence of French culture, particularly during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, when many French words and names were adopted into English.
Historically, the name Elle has been associated with various cultural and literary figures, although it does not have a specific biblical or saintly connection like many other names. Its use as a standalone name became more prominent in the 20th century, particularly in literary and artistic circles.
The name's simplicity and elegance have contributed to its appeal, and it has been featured in various works of literature and media, enhancing its cultural resonance. Notably, the name has been used in titles and character names, further embedding it in popular culture.
The name Elle carries connotations of femininity and grace, often associated with ideals of beauty and strength in various cultures. Its succinctness and phonetic appeal have made it a favored choice among parents seeking a name that embodies these qualities.
Additionally, diminutive forms such as Ellie have emerged, although Elle stands strong as a distinct name with its own identity. Overall, the name Elle reflects a blend of linguistic evolution and cultural significance, marking its place in the history of names.
Famous people named Elle
In this section, you will find notable people named Elle. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Elle who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Elle who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Elle Macpherson is a model and businesswoman best known for her work with Victoria's Secret, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and her own lingerie line.
Elle Fanning is an actress best known for Maleficent, The Neon Demon, and Super 8.
Elle King is a singer and songwriter best known for Ex's & Oh's, America's Sweetheart, and Different for Girls.
Fictional characters named Elle
The following list of fictional characters named Elle is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Elle Woods is a fictional character from the film Legally Blonde. She is a determined and resourceful law student who challenges stereotypes and fights for justice.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Elle, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Elle. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Elle was first seen in the United States in 1977.
Elle has ranked as high as #641 nationally, which occurred in 2019, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Elle has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Elle is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Elle was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Elle (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 85 | |
| TX | 60 | |
| NY | 48 | |
| FL | 46 | |
| PA | 23 | |
| IL | 22 | |
| NC | 22 | |
| MA | 19 | |
| OH | 17 | |
| UT | 16 | |
| LA | 16 | |
| WA | 16 | |
| NJ | 16 | |
| GA | 15 | |
| MN | 14 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Elle.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 642 |
| 2023 | 700 |
| 2022 | 795 |
| 2021 | 870 |
| 2020 | 842 |
| 2019 | 890 |
| 2018 | 816 |
| 2017 | 833 |
| 2016 | 834 |
| 2015 | 819 |
| 2014 | 825 |
| 2013 | 749 |
| 2012 | 822 |
| 2011 | 766 |
| 2010 | 750 |
| 2009 | 709 |
| 2008 | 642 |
| 2007 | 677 |
| 2006 | 653 |
| 2005 | 594 |
| 2004 | 596 |
| 2003 | 497 |
| 2002 | 418 |
| 2001 | 197 |
| 2000 | 181 |
| 1999 | 170 |
| 1998 | 145 |
| 1997 | 142 |
| 1996 | 140 |
| 1995 | 130 |
| 1994 | 125 |
| 1993 | 94 |
| 1992 | 103 |
| 1991 | 111 |
| 1990 | 91 |
| 1989 | 96 |
| 1988 | 40 |
| 1987 | 27 |
| 1986 | 12 |
| 1985 | 7 |
| 1983 | 6 |
| 1981 | 5 |
| 1978 | 8 |
| 1977 | 5 |