Ella vs Kathleen

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Ella

Girl #30 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"all, completely"

Origin: Germanic Alia

Cultural Roots

English German Hebrew Scandinavian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#30
Total SSA Count
5,685
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
El, Ellie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Ella →

Kathleen

Girl #1,110 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"pure, virginal"

Origin: Greek katharos via Irish

Cultural Roots

Irish American British Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,110
Total SSA Count
220
Syllables
2
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Kathy, Kate, Kat

Playground Safety Score

15 High Risk

{:type=>:rhyme, :severity=>:medium, :message=>"'Kathleen' rhymes with 'mean'"}

Full profile for Kathleen →

Popularity Comparison

Ella Rank #30
Kathleen Rank #1,110

Ella is more popular, ranked #30 vs #1110 for Kathleen.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Ella ___

  • Ella Grace
  • Ella Rose
  • Ella Mae
  • Ella Jane
  • Ella Claire
  • Ella Louise

Kathleen ___

  • Kathleen Anne
  • Kathleen Marie
  • Kathleen Grace
  • Kathleen Rose
  • Kathleen Margaret
  • Kathleen Elizabeth

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Ella

Owen Liam Sophia Nora Oliver

If you choose Kathleen

Bridget Maureen Colleen Patrick Michael

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ella or Kathleen more popular?

Ella is more popular, ranked #30 compared to Kathleen at #1110 in the United States.

What do Ella and Kathleen mean?

Ella means "all, completely" (Germanic Alia origin). Kathleen means "pure, virginal" (Greek katharos via Irish origin).

Are Ella and Kathleen boy or girl names?

Ella is primarily a girl name. Kathleen is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

Kathleen vs Ella Ella vs Ruby Ella vs Juliette Ella vs Katherine Ella vs Adalynn
← Full profile: Ella ← Full profile: Kathleen Browse all baby names