Ella-Mae

At a Glance

Meaning

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

Origin

English (short form)

Gender

Girl

Pronunciation

EL-ah-mayListen

Ella is an English short form, used as a diminutive of Eleanor or Ellen rather than a name with a meaning of its own. You may have come across the idea that Ella means 'light' or 'fairy maiden,' but that's not accurate — it emerged in the 19th century simply as a pet form of Eleanor or Ellen, with no independent meaning behind it. If you like a name with old-fashioned, vintage character, Ella carries that feel.

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's high point came in 1922, when it ranked #874 with 70 babies given the name; by 2024 it had fallen to #2405, with 75 babies given the name that year.

Names Like Ella

These names share Ella’s style, era or origin.

• Annabelle
• Annie
• Billie
• Edith
• Elsie
• Hallie

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-ah-may (IPA: /ˈɛləmeɪ/).

Is Ella a popular name right now?

Ella peaked at #874 in 1922 and is ranked #2405 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1898–2024.)

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.