Ellen vs Lisa

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Ellen

Girl #1,032 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"sunlight, moon (alternate etymology)"

Origin: Ancient Greek

Cultural Roots

English American Scottish Irish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,032
Total SSA Count
244
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Ellie, Nell

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Ellen →

Lisa

Girl #987 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"pledged to God, my God is an oath"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English German Italian American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#987
Total SSA Count
262
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Lis, Lee

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Lisa →

Popularity Comparison

Ellen Rank #1,032
Lisa Rank #987

Lisa is more popular, ranked #987 vs #1032 for Ellen.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Ellen ___

  • Ellen Grace
  • Ellen Marie
  • Ellen Louise
  • Ellen Ann
  • Ellen Jane
  • Ellen Claire

Lisa ___

  • Lisa Marie
  • Lisa Ann
  • Lisa Grace
  • Lisa Nicole
  • Lisa Renee
  • Lisa Claire

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Ellen

Alice Clara Hugh Arthur Margaret

If you choose Lisa

Jennifer Karen Michael David Amy

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 Ellen or Lisa more popular?

Lisa is more popular, ranked #987 compared to Ellen at #1032 in the United States.

What do Ellen and Lisa mean?

Ellen means "sunlight, moon (alternate etymology)" (Ancient Greek origin). Lisa means "pledged to God, my God is an oath" (Hebrew origin).

Are Ellen and Lisa boy or girl names?

Ellen is primarily a girl name. Lisa is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

Lisa vs Ellen Ellen vs Miah Ellen vs Farrah Ellen vs True Ellen vs Mavie
← Full profile: Ellen ← Full profile: Lisa Browse all baby names