Ella

At a Glance

Meaning

Diminutive of Eleanor or Ellen, with no independent meaning of its own

Origin

English (short form)

Gender

Used for both boys and girls

Pronunciation

EL-uhListen

Ella is an English name that took shape as a short form of Eleanor or Ellen, and on its own it doesn't carry a separate meaning. You may come across claims that it means 'light' or 'fairy maiden,' but that's not backed by its history — it simply emerged in the 19th century as a pet form of those longer names. SSA records for the name go back to 1880, so it's been in use in the U.S. for well over a century.

Meaning & Origin of Ella

Meaning: Diminutive of Eleanor or Ellen, with no independent meaning of its own.

Origin: English (short form).

A common claim: Ella is often said to mean 'light' or 'fairy maiden'. Actually: Ella has no independent meaning of its own — it emerged as a 19th-century pet form of Eleanor or Ellen, so these glosses aren't supported by its etymology.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Ella

Popularity of Ella

Ella hit its high point in 2011, ranking #12 with 9,597 babies given the name that year. By 2024 it had eased to #30, with 5,685 babies named Ella — still common, just down from its peak.

Names Like Ella

These names have followed a similar path to Ella in U.S. popularity over the years.

• Avery
• Mila
• Aria
• Luke
• Lily
• Layla

FAQ

What does the name Ella mean?

Diminutive of Eleanor or Ellen, with no independent meaning of its own. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Ella?

Ella is pronounced EL-uh (IPA: /ˈɛlə/).

Is Ella a popular name right now?

Ella peaked at #12 in 2011 and is ranked #30 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Ella Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Ella, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.