"son of Ellis"
Origin: English
Language: English
Ellison
Pronunciation: [ EHL-ihs-uhn ]
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A literary surname name meaning 'son of Elijah'
English
American
Sophisticated
Literary
Strong
Modern
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Ellison
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"son of Elijah"
Origin: Hebrew via English
Language: English
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The Story of Ellison
Ellison is an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Ellis' or 'son of Elias.' Ellis itself derives from the Greek form of the Hebrew name Elijah, meaning 'my God is Yahweh.' The name has literary prestige through Ralph Ellison, the African American author of Invisible Man, one of the great American novels of the 20th century.
Ellison has been gradually rising as a given name in the 2010s and 2020s, benefiting from the trend toward literary and surname-derived names with intellectual cachet. Its connection to Ralph Ellison gives it cultural depth.
Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man (1952) is considered one of the defining works of American literature, exploring Black identity and experience. The name carries that intellectual and literary legacy for many parents.
Historical Record
Ellison first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 2,078 babies have been named Ellison in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ellison is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #2,058 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man won the National Book Award in 1953 and is consistently ranked among the greatest American novels
- Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle Corporation, is one of the world's wealthiest people
Ellison in Other Languages
French
Ellison
German
Ellison
Spanish
Ellison
Popularity Over Time
#2,058
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ellison
L
Larry Ellison
Business
1944
American technology entrepreneur and co-founder of Oracle Corporation, one of the world's wealthiest individuals
R
Ralph Ellison
Writer
1914
American novelist, essayist, and scholar, author of Invisible Man, one of America's greatest literary works
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,058
- Total SSA Count
- 73
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Elli
Sonny
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ellison
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Ellison is also used as a girl name, ranked #1069.
View Ellison as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Germanic origin
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French surname origin
"of the Chiel family"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ellison
What does the name Ellison mean?
"son of Ellis" (from English). "son of Elijah" (from Hebrew via English). Ellison is an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Ellis' or 'son of Elias.' Ellis itself derives from the Greek form of the Hebrew name Elijah, meaning 'my God is Yahweh.' The name has literary prestige through Ralph Ellison, the African American author of Invisible Man, one of the great American novels of the 20th century.
What is the origin of the name Ellison?
Ellison has English, Hebrew via English, and American origins. In English, it means "son of Ellis". In Hebrew via English, it means "son of Elijah".
Is Ellison a boy or girl name?
Ellison is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2058. As a girl name, it is ranked #1069. Ellison is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Ellison?
Ellison is pronounced EHL-ihs-uhn.
How popular is the name Ellison?
Ellison is currently ranked #2058 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ellison?
Common nicknames for Ellison include Elli and Sonny.
What are good middle names for Ellison?
Popular middle name pairings include Ellison James, Ellison Cole, Ellison Reid, Ellison Grant, Ellison Thomas, and Ellison Lane.
What are good sibling names for Ellison?
Names that pair well with Ellison as siblings include Emerson, Addison, Ellis, Avery, Greer, and Sullivan.
How many syllables does Ellison have?
Ellison has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Ellison a common or rare name?
Ellison is an uncommon name, ranked #2058 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Ellison?
About the Name Ellison
Ellison is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "son of Ellis" in English .
Is Ellison a boy or girl name? Ellison is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,058 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #1,069. Ellison is more commonly used as a girl name.
Ellison is currently ranked #2,058 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Ellison has 3 syllables and is pronounced EHL-ihs-uhn, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Ellison include Elli and Sonny. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Ellison include Elliot, Elliott, Ellis, Ellias . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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