"all, completely"
Origin: Germanic Alia
Language: Germanic
Ella
Pronunciation: [ EHL-uh ]
Does Ella flow with your last name?
Sweet, timeless, with the soul of a jazz legend
English
German
Hebrew
Scandinavian
Classic
Gentle
Elegant
Literary
Minimalist
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Names Like Ella
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Ella
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"fairy maiden, beautiful woman"
Origin: Old English
Language: Old English
"goddess"
Origin: Hebrew El
Language: Hebrew
"all, completely"
Origin: Germanic
Language: German
"goddess, oak tree"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
"fairy maiden"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
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The Story of Ella
Ella has multiple origins: as a Germanic name it is a short form of names containing the element 'ali' meaning 'all, completely' (as in Eleanora or Elizabeth). As a Hebrew-origin name, it means 'goddess' or possibly 'oak tree.' In Old English fairy traditions, an ella or aelf was a fairy maiden. The name's brevity and musicality have kept it perpetually fashionable across centuries.
Ella has been a top-20 name in the US consistently since 2003. Its resurgence from Victorian-era obscurity was helped by jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald's enduring legacy and the name's simple, melodic quality that works equally well on a toddler or a CEO.
Ella Fitzgerald, the 'First Lady of Song,' is considered the greatest jazz vocalist in history and her name became synonymous with elegance and musical mastery. In Slavic languages, Ella is a diminutive of names like Gabriella and Eleonora, making it a cross-cultural nickname that works as a standalone name.
Historical Record
Ella first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 209,258 babies have been named Ella in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ella is past its peak , currently ranked #30 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Ella Fitzgerald won 13 Grammy Awards and recorded over 200 albums during her career
- Ella has been a top-20 US baby name for over 20 consecutive years
Ella in Other Languages
German
Ella
Hebrew
Ela
Russian
Ella
Spanish
Ella
Japanese
Era
Popularity Over Time
#30
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2011
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ella
E
Ella Henderson
Musician
1996
British singer-songwriter who rose to fame on X Factor
E
Ella Purnell
Actor
1996
British actress known for Yellowjackets and the Fallout TV series
E
Ella Fitzgerald
Musician
1917
American jazz singer known as the First Lady of Song, widely considered the greatest jazz vocalist of all time
C
Cinderella (Ella) Fictional
Other
The classic fairy tale heroine whose full name means 'little cinder girl,' with Ella as the root name
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Compare Ella with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #30
- Total SSA Count
- 5,685
- Cultural Origins
- English German Hebrew Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
El
Ellie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ella
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Ella
Phonetic neighbors that share Ella's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
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Also a Boy Name
Ella is also used as a boy name, ranked #34065.
View Ella as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Raelynn
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Hebrew/Welsh origin
"ewe, gentle; lake"
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Amira
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Arabic origin
"commander, leader"
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Hawaiian origin
"awakening, offering"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ella
What does the name Ella mean?
"all, completely" (from Germanic Alia). "fairy maiden, beautiful woman" (from Old English). "goddess" (from Hebrew El). "all, completely" (from Germanic). "goddess, oak tree" (from Hebrew). "fairy maiden" (from Old English). Ella has multiple origins: as a Germanic name it is a short form of names containing the element 'ali' meaning 'all, completely' (as in Eleanora or Elizabeth). As a Hebrew-origin name, it means 'goddess' or possibly 'oak tree.' In Old English fairy traditions, an ella or aelf was a fairy maiden. The name's brevity and musicality have kept it perpetually fashionable across centuries.
What is the origin of the name Ella?
Ella has Germanic Alia, Old English, Hebrew El, Germanic, Hebrew, English, German, and Scandinavian origins. In Germanic Alia, it means "all, completely". In Old English, it means "fairy maiden, beautiful woman". In Hebrew El, it means "goddess". In Germanic, it means "all, completely". In Hebrew, it means "goddess, oak tree". In Old English, it means "fairy maiden".
Is Ella a boy or girl name?
Ella is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #30. As a boy name, it is ranked #34065. Ella is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Ella?
Ella is pronounced EHL-uh.
How popular is the name Ella?
Ella is currently ranked #30 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ella?
Common nicknames for Ella include Ellie.
What are good middle names for Ella?
Popular middle name pairings include Ella Grace, Ella Rose, Ella Mae, Ella Jane, Ella Claire, and Ella Louise.
What are good sibling names for Ella?
Names that pair well with Ella as siblings include Owen, Liam, Sophia, Nora, Oliver, and Ivy.
How many syllables does Ella have?
Ella has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Ella a common or rare name?
Ella is a very popular name, ranked #30 among girl names in the United States.
What girl names are similar to Ella?
Browse all middle names, sibling names, or similar names.
About the Name Ella
Ella is a girl name with English, German, Hebrew, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "all, completely" in Germanic Alia .
Is Ella a boy or girl name? Ella is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #30 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #34,065. Ella is more commonly used as a girl name.
Ella is currently ranked #30 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Ella has 2 syllables and is pronounced EHL-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Ella include El and Ellie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Ella include Ellie, Elliana, Elle, Elliott, Ellianna . 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