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Ellie Girl

Popularity: #21 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: EL-ee /ˈɛli/

Origin: English; Greek

Meaning: English: bright shining one; Greek: torch

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Ellie has its roots in the Hebrew name Eliana, which means "God has answered me." This name was adapted into Greek as Helene, which carries the meaning of "torch" or "light." The transition into Latin occurred as Helena, a name borne by several early saints and the mother of Emperor Constantine, who played a significant role in the establishment of Christianity in the Roman Empire during the 4th century. The name eventually made its way into Old French as Hélène before being adopted into English, where it became popularized in various forms, including Ellie, as a diminutive or affectionate variant.

Throughout history, the name Ellie has been associated with notable figures, including Saint Helena, who is venerated in both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions. Her legacy, particularly her reputed discovery of the True Cross in the 4th century, has contributed to the name's enduring significance in Christian contexts.

The name also appears in various literary works, enhancing its cultural resonance. For instance, it has been used in children's literature and popular fiction, where characters named Ellie often embody qualities of kindness and resilience.

In addition to its religious and literary associations, the name Ellie has been embraced in various cultures, often symbolizing light and hope. The diminutive form has been used affectionately, reflecting a sense of warmth and familiarity.

This connection to light and positivity has helped the name maintain its appeal across generations, making it a cherished choice in many families. Overall, the name Ellie encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution and cultural significance, rooted in ancient traditions and historical narratives.

Famous people named Ellie

Ellie Goulding is a singer and songwriter best known for Lights, Burn, and Love Me Like You Do.

Ellie Kemper is an actress and comedian best known for The Office, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Bridesmaids.

Ellie Bamber is an actress best known for Nocturnal Animals, The Falling, and The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.

Ellie Sattler is a fictional character best known as a paleontologist in the Jurassic Park franchise.

Fictional characters named Ellie

Ellie is a fictional character from the video game series The Last of Us. She is a young survivor in a post-apocalyptic world who plays a crucial role in the story's emotional depth and character development.

Ellie is a fictional character from the animated film Up. She is the adventurous and spirited wife of Carl Fredricksen, whose dreams inspire him throughout the film.

Sibling suggestions

Similar names

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Ellie was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Ellie has ranked as high as #65 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Ohio, Florida, and New York.

In the past 5 years the name Ellie has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Ellie (2024)

State Births Share
CA 709
12%
TX 663
11%
FL 372
6%
OH 264
4%
NY 252
4%
PA 228
4%
NC 227
4%
GA 211
3%
TN 182
3%
IL 166
3%
IN 158
3%
MO 150
2%
AZ 145
2%
KY 141
2%
WA 141
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188017
188127
188237
188324
188428
188525
188634
188739
188841
188934
189040
189138
189241
189347
189453
189537
189652
189744
189853
189948
190065
190160
190251
190348
190454
190554
190651
190756
190856
190938
191050
191147
191264
191381
191470
191590
191683
191784
1918123
191989
192083
192184
192293
192382
192487
192591
192671
192766
192856
192954
193055
193143
193235
193346
193447
193544
193646
193748
193839
193938
194038
194145
194235
194336
194431
194542
194645
194742
194844
194937
195043
195143
195248
195359
195452
195562
195657
195753
195859
195967
196074
196160
196266
196376
196463
196560
196639
196741
196844
196953
197044
197130
197247
197355
197454
197570
197669
197760
197857
197981
198075
198181
198271
198371
198457
198548
198658
198787
198891
1989128
1990173
1991169
1992234
1993255
1994252
1995359
1996374
1997432
1998603
1999708
2000829
2001906
20021,619
20031,728
20041,817
20051,890
20061,996
20072,010
20081,996
20092,234
20102,912
20113,064
20123,388
20133,764
20144,487
20154,873
20165,072
20175,019
20185,221
20195,430
20205,601
20215,864
20225,784
20235,968
20246,306