Ellie vs Esther

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Ellie

Girl #21 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"bright, shining light"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

English American Irish Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#21
Total SSA Count
6,306
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Ell, Ely, Elie

Playground Safety Score

15 High Risk

{:type=>:rhyme, :severity=>:medium, :message=>"'Ellie' rhymes with 'smelly'"}

Full profile for Ellie →

Popularity Comparison

Ellie Rank #21
Esther Rank #131

Ellie is more popular, ranked #21 vs #131 for Esther.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Ellie ___

  • Ellie Mae
  • Ellie Rose
  • Ellie Grace
  • Ellie Jane
  • Ellie Kate
  • Ellie Claire

Esther ___

  • Esther Rose
  • Esther Jane
  • Esther Mae
  • Esther Grace
  • Esther Violet
  • Esther Pearl

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Ellie

Sophie Oliver Jack Ruby Charlie

If you choose Esther

Ruth Agnes Sylvia Clement Jasper

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 Ellie or Esther more popular?

Ellie is more popular, ranked #21 compared to Esther at #131 in the United States.

What do Ellie and Esther mean?

Ellie means "bright, shining light" (Greek origin). Esther means "star" (Persian origin).

Are Ellie and Esther boy or girl names?

Ellie is primarily a girl name. Esther is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

Esther vs Ellie Ellie vs Quinn Ellie vs Emilia Ellie vs Elena Ellie vs Emma
← Full profile: Ellie ← Full profile: Esther Browse all baby names