"benevolent, kind"
Origin: Welsh from Hebrew Elijah
Language: Welsh
Ellis
Pronunciation: [ EHL-ihs ]
Does Ellis flow with your last name?
A gateway name — Welsh roots, American promise
Welsh
English
American
Modern
Literary
Gentle
Sophisticated
Gender Neutral
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Ellis
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Ellis
1 shorthand option for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"the Lord is my God"
Origin: Hebrew via Welsh
Language: Hebrew
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Ellis
See all →What the Ellis report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Ellis the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Ellis
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Ellis head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Ellis actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Ellis
Ellis is a Welsh surname and given name derived from the Welsh form of Elisedd, itself from the Hebrew Elijah via the Latin Elisaeus. The name means benevolent or kind in Welsh tradition. Ellis has been used as a given name in Wales for centuries before spreading to England and America. In the US, Ellis Island — the gateway for over 12 million immigrants between 1892 and 1954 — gave the name powerful symbolic resonance as a place of new beginnings.
Ellis has risen significantly in the US since 2010 as part of the surname-as-given-name trend. It benefits from its gender-neutral appeal, literary sound, and connection to Ellis Island, which resonates with American families with immigrant histories. The name fits naturally alongside similar rising names like Emerson, Elliot, and Wren.
Ellis Island processed more immigrants than any other entry point in American history, making Ellis a name with profound symbolic weight for millions of American families whose ancestors passed through it. In Wales, the name has an ancient literary and religious heritage through figures like Elisedd ap Gwylog, a 9th-century Welsh king.
Historical Record
Ellis first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 26,617 babies have been named Ellis in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ellis is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #273 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Over 12 million immigrants entered the United States through Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954
- Ellis Peters was the pen name of British crime writer Edith Pargeter, creator of the medieval monk-detective Brother Cadfael
- Ellis is one of the few names that works equally well for boys and girls without needing any spelling variation
Ellis in Other Languages
Welsh
Elisedd
French
Ellis
German
Ellis
Spanish
Ellis
Popularity Over Time
#273
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ellis
E
Ellis Paul
Musician
1965
American folk singer-songwriter known for his storytelling style and New England roots
E
Ellis Peters
Writer
1913
British crime writer known for the medieval mystery series featuring the monk Cadfael
E
Ellis Fictional
Other
Protagonist in the video game Left 4 Dead 2 (2009), an enthusiastic young mechanic from Georgia fighting zombie hordes
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Simon
Boy
"flat-nosed (secondary Greek meaning)"
#251
Jett
Boy
"jet black; speed"
#161
Nehemiah
Boy
"God has consoled"
#427
Jonathan
Boy
"God has given"
#83
Knox
Boy
"round hill"
#209
Compare Ellis with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #273
- Total SSA Count
- 1,250
- Cultural Origins
- Welsh English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
El
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ellis
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Ellis fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Ellis is also used as a girl name, ranked #697.
View Ellis as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Ellis →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Ellis with...
Same Origin Names (Welsh)
See all Welsh names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Ellis
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Ellis and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Ellis sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Simon
Boy
Greek origin
"flat-nosed (secondary Greek meaning)"
#251 in US
Jett
Boy
Modern English origin
"jet black; speed"
#161 in US
Nehemiah
Boy
Hebrew origin
"God has consoled"
#427 in US
Jonathan
Boy
Hebrew (Yehonatan) origin
"God has given"
#83 in US
Knox
Boy
Old English/Scottish origin
"round hill"
#209 in US
Zaire
Boy
Bantu origin
"river that swallows all rivers"
#473 in US
Hector
Boy
Ancient Greek origin
"to hold fast, to restrain"
#381 in US
Victor
Boy
Latin origin
"conqueror, winner"
#214 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Ellis's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ellis
What does the name Ellis mean?
"benevolent, kind" (from Welsh from Hebrew Elijah). "the Lord is my God" (from Hebrew via Welsh). Ellis is a Welsh surname and given name derived from the Welsh form of Elisedd, itself from the Hebrew Elijah via the Latin Elisaeus. The name means benevolent or kind in Welsh tradition. Ellis has been used as a given name in Wales for centuries before spreading to England and America. In the US, Ellis Island — the gateway for over 12 million immigrants between 1892 and 1954 — gave the name powerful symbolic resonance as a place of new beginnings.
What is the origin of the name Ellis?
Ellis has Welsh from Hebrew Elijah, Hebrew via Welsh, Welsh, English, and American origins. In Welsh from Hebrew Elijah, it means "benevolent, kind". In Hebrew via Welsh, it means "the Lord is my God".
Is Ellis a boy or girl name?
Ellis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #273. As a girl name, it is ranked #697. Ellis is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Ellis?
Ellis is pronounced EHL-ihs.
How popular is the name Ellis?
Ellis is currently ranked #273 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Ellis?
Popular middle name pairings include Ellis James, Ellis Thomas, Ellis Reid, Ellis Cole, Ellis Grant, Ellis Finn, and Ellis Dean.
What are good sibling names for Ellis?
Names that pair well with Ellis as siblings include Wren, Nora, Iris, Cora, Theo, Miles, and Bea.
How many syllables does Ellis have?
Ellis has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Ellis a common or rare name?
Ellis is a popular name, ranked #273 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
What boy names are similar to Ellis?
About the Name Ellis
Ellis is a boy name with Welsh, English, and American origins . The name means "benevolent, kind" in Welsh from Hebrew Elijah .
Is Ellis a boy or girl name? Ellis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #273 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #697. Ellis is more commonly used as a boy name.
Ellis is currently ranked #273 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Ellis has 2 syllables and is pronounced EHL-ihs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Ellis include El. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Ellis include Elliot, Elliott, Ellison, Ellias . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Welsh from Hebrew Elijah Names
Browse all names with this origin
E
Names Starting with E
More boy names like Ellis
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis