Ella Name Meaning and Origin

Ella can mean “light,” “beautiful fairy woman” in English, and “all” or “other” in German. The 12th-century queen Eleanor of Aquitaine was named Aenor after her mother but was referred to as Alia Aenor, meaning “the other Aenor.” In Spanish, ella means “she” or “her.” Hence, Ella can be considered to mean “girl” or “feminine.” Whether used as a suffix of a girl named Arabella, Isabella, or Marinella, Ella can also make a masculine name sound feminine when used as a suffix, as in Gabriel and Gabriella. Let’s find out more about this name and its background here!

What Does Ella Mean? 

Ella has various meanings based on its different origins. In French, the meaning of Ella becomes ‘little cinders,’ while it means ‘truly lively’ in Gothic, ‘bright one’ and ‘shining one’ in Old Greek, and ‘goddess’ in Hebrew. Derived from the Hebrew element ‘el’ meaning ‘god’ and ‘or’ meaning light, Ella means ‘God is my light’ or ‘God is my candle.’ Ella also refers to an indigenous tree of the Middle East belonging to the Pistachio family.

Origin 

Ella developed as a diminutive for names beginning with El in English-speaking countries and Scandinavia. Its original spelling was Alia. Although primarily used as the short form of traditional names like Eleanor and Ellen, Ella is common among Christians. Ella is presumed to have come from the Greek name Elfin, meaning ‘beautiful fairy woman. Ella was the daughter of Athamas and Nephele. The name might have been a cognate with Hellas, the region around Dodona.

Gender

Female

Pronunciation 

•    EL-uh

Syllables

2 syllables

Length/Letter 

4 letters

Name Variations/Spellings 

Other spellings for Ella derived from different cultures provide an interesting insight into the versatility of the name. Here are some Ella name variations that might help your name selection process:

How Popular Is the Name Ella? 

According to the Social Security Administration data, after 1992, the Ella popularity index constantly climbed up the charts to reach the top 100 over the next ten years. Starting with its lowest rank of 264 in 2000, the Ella baby name ranking entered the top 50 in 2003, top 20 in 2008, and reached the twelfth position in 2012. The iconic singer Ella Fitzgerald and the movie Ella Enchanted have contributed to the popularity of the name. Ella peaked in 2011 and 2012 as the 12th most popular girl name in the US, and in 2020, it reached the peak ranking of 15.

Interest in Ella – Worldwide

Ella shows a consistent value of over 70 over the last ten years, reaching 100 on Oct 2012 as per the search trends. The lowest score was 65 in July 2021 on the popularity scale.

Interest in Ella – the US

Search trend in the US reached its peak upto 100 on Oct 2011. The lowest record value was 32 in Dec 2021 on the popularity scale.

The popularity of Name Ella

URL: https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi

Where Is the Name Most Searched?

Search Trends of Ella Worldwide

As per the global trends, Ella has been searched the most in the Dominican Republic, followed by Honduras, Guatemala, Paraguay, and El Salvador in the last ten years. Due to the migration of the Sephardic Jews coupled with other migrations dating from the 1700s and during World War II contributing to Dominican ancestry, a Hebrew name like Ella is quite popular in the Dominican Republic.

Search Trends of Ella in the US

Connecticut in the US has recorded the highest search value of 100 in the last ten years. Texas, Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey have made it to the top five positions in the US, where search trends for Ella have been the highest.

Middle Names That Go With Ella 

A good middle name can be trendy and timeless in its appeal. Here are some double names with Ella that can help to dress your baby’s name up or down:

Famous People Named Ella

Popular personalities named Ella have influenced the minds of parents down the ages. Here are some fascinating options that may catapult your child to fame:

Similar Names & Last Names

Your list of baby names like Ella may have interesting alternatives, while family names for Ella evoke a similar vibe. Here are some other names for Ella that may sound your favorite as well:

Names That Sound Like Ella

Rhyming names sound lyrical and soothing to the ear. Here are some names that rhyme with Ella that follow the same phonetic principles and charm as Ella:

Sibling Names Related to Ella

Sibling names that go with Ella might help seal the bond of love and companionship between them. Here is a list of suitable sister names for Ella and attractive brother names for Ella:

Nicknames for Ella

However wacky or funny they may sound, nicknames are the most commonly accepted original name substitute. Here are some unique nicknames that can sound truly endearing:

Ella rose to fame in the new millennium due to its beautiful and divine meaning, ‘goddess,’ which may seem like a blessing in disguise. Thus, this unquestionably feminine name will last the test of time due to its vintage and modern appeal.

Sources/References

Social Security Administration: https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi
Ella Name Popularity in the United States: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2012-02-08%202022-02-08&geo=US&q=Ella
Ella Name Popularity Across The World: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2012-02-08%202022-02-08&q=Ella
Ella Name Interest in the United States: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2012-02-08%202022-02-08&geo=US&q=Ella
Ella Name Interest Across The World: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2012-02-08%202022-02-08&q=Ella