Ella Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, Girl Names Like Ella

Ella Name Origin: Hebrew
Pronunciation: el-ah
See what 33 people think about Ella

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Ella Name Meaning

An endearing sister to Emma and Bella, Ella is a delicate name with worldwide appeal. Her use has risen and fallen throughout history, with her resurgence in the Victorian era spreading like wildfire across English-speaking countries where she remains a beloved treasure today. She can also be found in German, coming from the root ali- meaning “other” while in modern Hebrew she means “goddess.” Fitting, seeing that every little girl is a goddess in her own way.

Ella has a gentle sound and pixie size, much like the little ones she’s given to. She has the subtle nickname of Elle or the adorable Ellie but also the option of none at all should you choose. She’s short and breezy with an unspoken it factor – the perfect name for a surfer girl or a Hollywood star. She isn’t frilly and frufru but is undeniably feminine, a chicer version of the grand Arabella and Isabella. She also manages to sound both vintage and new, fitting in well with similar feeling names Amelia and Olivia.

In addition to standing on her own, Ella can be a diminutive of longer El- names like Eleanor and Elizabeth if you’re looking for something with a little more oomph behind it.

Ella Name Popularity

How popular is the name Ella? Here’s everything we know.

Year	Rank	# Births	% Births
1910	62	1,565	0.4445%
1911	63	1,579	0.424%
1912	69	1,910	0.3787%
1913	70	2,052	0.3619%
1914	72	2,289	0.3285%
1915	75	2,948	0.3245%
1916	81	2,962	0.3066%
1917	83	3,040	0.3039%
1918	84	3,279	0.3055%
1919	87	3,148	0.3006%
1920	88	3,220	0.2896%
1921	89	3,229	0.282%
1922	90	3,135	0.2814%
1923	93	2,975	0.2656%
1924	93	3,045	0.2622%
1925	93	2,998	0.2652%
1926	98	2,829	0.2572%
1927	97	2,826	0.2553%
1928	100	2,659	0.2485%
1929	102	2,460	0.2375%
1930	107	2,387	0.2285%
1931	110	2,141	0.2169%
1932	107	2,241	0.2268%
1933	113	2,015	0.2163%
1934	113	2,039	0.2109%
1935	122	1,878	0.1933%
1936	127	1,812	0.1881%
1937	134	1,722	0.1748%
1938	141	1,704	0.1665%
1939	132	1,803	0.1773%
1940	146	1,647	0.155%
1941	141	1,672	0.1486%
1942	152	1,637	0.1296%
1943	155	1,631	0.1249%
1944	158	1,537	0.124%
1945	160	1,439	0.118%
1946	177	1,468	0.0995%
1947	177	1,605	0.0962%
1948	178	1,525	0.0955%
1949	177	1,527	0.0949%
1950	198	1,351	0.0839%
1951	206	1,317	0.0777%
1952	222	1,216	0.0697%
1953	239	1,113	0.0629%
1954	247	1,050	0.0574%
1955	245	1,085	0.059%
1956	277	951	0.0504%
1957	290	934	0.0485%
1958	325	789	0.0417%
1959	314	831	0.0437%
1960	354	705	0.0372%
1961	358	675	0.0358%
1962	374	588	0.032%
1963	393	556	0.031%
1964	411	521	0.0296%
1965	427	434	0.0265%
1966	451	394	0.0252%
1967	481	347	0.0229%
1968	534	275	0.0183%
1969	540	287	0.0186%
1970	564	273	0.0172%
1971	623	221	0.0147%
1972	672	170	0.0125%
1973	662	178	0.0137%
1974	696	158	0.0122%
1975	779	130	0.0101%
1976	803	123	0.0095%
1977	932	97	0.0072%
1978	848	119	0.0089%
1979	858	124	0.0088%
1980	807	145	0.0099%
1981	859	128	0.0087%
1982	849	128	0.0086%
1983	1,056	79	0.0054%
1984	1,048	86	0.0058%
1985	1,033	92	0.0061%
1986	1,216	65	0.0043%
1987	1,228	65	0.0043%
1988	910	137	0.0088%
1989	1,150	94	0.0058%
1990	864	178	0.0107%
1991	903	168	0.0103%
1992	881	179	0.0112%
1993	802	201	0.0129%
1994	685	258	0.0168%
1995	705	249	0.0165%
1996	605	334	0.0223%
1997	498	453	0.0306%
1998	406	635	0.0424%
1999	376	734	0.049%
2000	264	1,201	0.0786%
2001	191	1,702	0.113%
2002	89	3,556	0.2373%
2003	44	5,898	0.3877%
2004	29	8,237	0.5404%
2005	23	9,062	0.5927%
2006	21	9,206	0.5879%
2007	21	9,544	0.6049%
2008	19	9,349	0.6049%
2009	15	9,650	0.6456%
2010	13	9,872	0.685%
2011	12	9,586	0.6728%
2012	12	9,198	0.6455%
2013	15	8,444	0.5931%
2014	17	8,547	0.5866%
2015	18	7,896	0.5427%
2016	17	7,898	0.5478%
2017	16	8,014	0.5742%
2018	15	8,055	0.5863%
2019	13	8,079	0.5968%
2020	15	7,162	0.5627%
2021	18	6,390	0.5227%
2022	25	6,243	0.4732%

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Data via SSA.gov.

Names Like Ella

If you like Ella, you’ll love these other names like Ella.

What names are diminutives of Ella?

A diminutive is a name that’s like Ella sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Ella, but shorter.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Elle	She	French
Ellee	Other, foreign; sun ray, shining light	Greek
Elli	Noble, exalted; sun ray, shining light; other, foreign	Greek
Ellie	Shortened form of El- names	English
Elly	Sun ray, shining light; other, foreign	Greek

What names are variants of Ella?

Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Ella.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Ela	Tree; other, foreign	Hebrew
Elladine	Sun ray, shining light; other, foreign	Greek
Ellesse	Other, foreign	German
Elletta	Footloose; other, foreign	Greek
Ellette	Footloose; other, foreign; sun ray, shining light	Greek
Ellia	Other, foreign	German
Ellina	Other, foreign	German

What names sound like Ella?

If you like how Ella sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Ella.

Name	Meaning	Origin	Popularity	Other Gender
Bella	Beautiful one	Italian
Eila	Tree	Hebrew

Elia	God has answered	Hebrew
Etta	A diminutive form of Henrietta, “mistress of the home.”	Italian
Eula	Well-spoken; wealthy; gem of the sea; sacred red	Scandinavian
Illa	Tree	Hebrew
Luella	A variant form of Louella.	English
Olla	Ancestor's relic	Scandinavian
Rella		German
Stella	Celestial star	Latin
Ulla	Will, determination	Scandinavian

What names are similar to Ella?

Find a name that’s like Ella, but just a little bit different.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Abby	Father of exaltation	Hebrew
Ava	To live	Latin
Claire	Clear and bright	French
Daisy	Daisy flower	English
Emma	Whole or universal	German
Harper	Harp Player	English

Jessa	He sees	Hebrew
Leah	Weary one	Hebrew
Luna	The moon	Latin
Olivia	Olive tree	Latin

Lists With Ella

Find inspiration in these baby girl name lists featuring the name Ella.

Siblings of Ella

Mamas with kids named Ella also have kids with these names.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Lumen	Measure of Light	Latin
Maverick	Independent one	American
Hudson	Son of Hudd	English
Sawyer	Wood Cutter	English
Freya	Lady	Scandinavian
Benjamin	A favorite son	Hebrew
Nina	Little girl	Spanish
Ezekiel	God will strengthen	Hebrew
Elena	Shining light	Greek

Share Your Thoughts

33 Comments

Ivy+Covarrubias Oct 3 at 11:54 am

I chose the name Ella because I wanted it to be close to my first daughter name which is Elena and we were watching the Live action Cinder-Ella movie and she said mommy let’s name her Ella like in the movie. So now her names Ella and we love it ? she’s my little princess.

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Carrie Sep 29 at 6:11 am

I’m a new Grandmom eagerly awaiting the birth of my son and his wife’s new baby girl. The new to be parents told me Ella Jo is the only name they could agree on (laughing). Jo is my middle name. They sent me a list some time ago and it included Ella Mae, Ella Jo, Holly, Lacey Anne, Charlotte and Darcy. I was hoping for Darcy or Lacey but am thrilled with the use of my middle name.

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Juliana Apr 28 at 3:51 pm

I loved Eleanor, but my partner did not. We also wanted something that didn’t need to be shortened/nicknamed. It also sounded good with our last name.

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Ella Dec 25 at 7:36 pm

My parents loved the name Ella and therefore named me Ella. Also because my fathers grandma was named Ella and my parents wanted us to have family names. They named my sister Evelyn also after a different family member. I have always loved the name Ella and my family. My middle name is Rae. Ella Rae. People always spell my middle name wrong if they just hear it instead of reading it, but I don’t mind to much. I love seeing my name in cursive on something or just it written out normally. I now have grown into an amazing, athletic, funny, strong, brave, and caring young lady. Those are all the words that I’ve heard people call me over the years and I love hearing them.

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Kayla Jul 14 at 8:35 am

We chose the name ella for my daughter because we just liked how simple it was and the meaning of it was “fairy maiden goddess”
We like the name Ella because it pairs well with Marie as a middle name which was my moms middle name and also my partners grandmothers middle name
Ella was an easy baby and now is developing into a very spirited little girl and as much as she can be a handful at times, the name fits her very well

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- Ella Dec 25 at 7:38 pm
  
  My parents thought about having my middle name be Marie, but saved it and had my sisters middle name be Marie instead. Mine ended up being Rae.
  
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Bernadette Feb 28 at 12:47 am

Lovely

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Ella Dec 21 at 4:37 am

I hated my name Ella for a long time, I found out my father named me without my mother’s approval (I’m not native to the US, different laws) , he gave me a name after his friend’s lover, she was gorgeous and my father wanted me to be like her. I don’t know if you believe it or not, but name giving the future what you chose for your child. People remember a person by the name when person born and when a person dies. Beauty and Goddess do not always have a happy ending.
ps; My mother wanted to name me Angelica that means Angel Face

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- Ella May 19 at 1:08 pm
  
  At least now I will know the meaning of My name because whenever I go out with my mom her friends would ask the meaning of My name and l would always tell them that I don’t know so I always blame my mom for naming me that name but I realized that it’s a good name so us the Ella’s let’s appreciate our mothers for giving us this name Ella
  
  Reply
Marybeth Jun 29 at 10:57 am

We chose the name Ella because it is a family name. We always knew we wanted to use family names for our children just like how we were named.

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Ella Ann May 9 at 6:40 am

I love my name Ella Ann, chosen by my parents many years ago!

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Jana Mar 28 at 11:46 pm

It is traditional not old fashioned.short.similar in many languages.nice meaning.not too many ways how to call the baby compared to Elisabeth for example

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Alexandra Heinze Jan 15 at 11:33 am

I’m big on name meaning

? Ella (gift of god) Alysse (noble, truth)

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Masha Dec 21 at 7:22 am

We simply love the name!

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Kayla Dec 13 at 9:44 am

My mom was going to name my little brother Ella if he ended up being a girl. My other idea was Lorraine rose but I went with Ella because it is sweet and simple and is similar to Bella which means beautiful in Italian. The name fits her perfectly and I am just so excited that I got to have a natural birth and can finally hold her in my arms ??

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- ella Dec 21 at 2:42 pm
  
  actually my name is Ella and thank you that was a nice description of the name and it is so true it is a lovely name to have and your mom would have picked a amazing name and thank you for sharing.
  
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Holly Dec 6 at 9:33 pm

To be honest I was listening to the song Umbrella by Rhianna in my car and and just fell in love with it right away.

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Aly Nov 15 at 7:28 am

There was a viral video years ago with a little girl singing Elvis in the back of her dads car. Her name was Ella. My boyfriend (at the time, he’s the hubs now) and I at 17 decided if we ever had a daughter that would be her name. 8 years later we have Ella Michael (Michael after my husband’s late father) and it fits her perfectly.

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Amber Sep 30 at 10:45 am

Just loved it

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- Dominic's Nov 2 at 12:41 pm
  
  Ella) rote 2 Books she is my sister! AND I LOVE HER!
  
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Emily Aug 2 at 8:50 am

Ella Joy was conceived days before my Nana, Elizabeth passed away due to complications related to Covid-19. Her name is a tribute to this incredibly strong, funny, warm woman who herself was a mother of 6. Joy is what we have felt since we knew she was blessing our lives and also a nod to my incredible, sweet Grandmother (mote like 2nd Mom) Joyce.

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Arielle Jun 21 at 7:47 am

I (Arielle) was named partially after my grandmother (Ellen) and Ella keeps the “El” tradition going.

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Reymella Sep 24 at 8:34 pm

We chose Ella because one of its meaning is light and we consider our baby to be a light as we start our family. Also, I have Ella my name as well so that connects me to our baby.

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Crystal Miller Jul 17 at 10:55 pm

I like that when I named my Daughter Ella it was so far down on the most popular list (605). Her name has been passed down my Grandmother was named after her Grandmother Ella. It always feels like this is a name for a dainty proper ladylike girl. I have to say all 3 of these Ella’s are known to be fierce strong (stubborn) minded
loving women.

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- Aly Nov 15 at 7:41 am
  
  I love this. My Ella came out at 31 weeks kicking and ready to fight. She’s been no less independent and stubborn since (5 months later). Im so glad we gave her a strong name with the appearance of dainty-ness. It’ll shock the world ?
  
  Reply
Mama Tiffany Apr 13 at 2:01 pm

My boyfriend and I were trying to pick a name and I threw out 2 names before we chose on the third, perfect name… Ella, and her dad said and her middle name is Love.. Ella Love, and that was that. ??

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Mama Chai Mar 5 at 12:40 am

Simple elegant name that is suitable for all ages as she grows

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Rebecca Jan 26 at 9:26 am

Traditional, yet unique!

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Stephanie Dec 24 at 7:06 pm

It was my husband’s great grandmother’s name

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Ella Hinkle Nov 14 at 7:05 am

I’m named after my grandmother

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Mary Jun 30 at 10:19 am

We chose the name because Ella is my boyfriends grandmothers name.
I like that it’s simple yet not really common. What I don’t like about this name is that it’s starting to become common.

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Sam and Chelsea Jun 8 at 10:49 am

Ella is a family name. We usually call her Ella June (June is my husband’s favorite name.) Ella means “beautiful” and June means “complete.” When I was pregnant with her my husband and I were seeing significant improvement in our marriage after a lot of hard work. I thought of the verse from Ecclesiastes “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” She was the perfect gift to us, beauty after a season of struggle.

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Ella Apr 15 at 8:32 pm

I’ve always loved the name Ella. We call her El? I love that how it’s very feminine (we paired it with Michael as her middle name,which is my fathers name) it was my grandmothers grandmothers first name which is special in our family.

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Ella