"whole, all-encompassing (Ella) + month of May/spring (Mae)"
Ellamae
A Southern double-barrel gem with wildflower charm
Meaning & Origin
"bright + spring"
The Story of Ellamae
Ellamae is a classic double-barrel name combining Ella and Mae. Ella comes from the Germanic element 'ermen' (whole, all) or serves as a short form of Eleanor (from Greek 'Helene,' bright). Mae is a variant of May, from the Latin 'Maius' — the month named for Maia, the Roman goddess of growth and fertility. Together, the name has an American Southern grace, like a name found in a Depression-era photograph or a Dolly Parton song.
Ellamae belongs to the great American tradition of combining two short feminine names — Ellamae, Annabelle, Maryjane, Rosalee — creating names with a lilting, folk-song quality. It's seeing a revival as parents seek vintage compound names with genuine warmth, following the success of names like Elspeth, Marigold, and Rosalind.
Double-barrel names like Ellamae are deeply embedded in American Southern naming tradition, where both names carry family tribute, regional charm, and a kind of musical folk quality. These names evoke front porches, wildflowers, and the texture of American country life that many find comforting and genuine.
Fun Facts
- Ella Mae Morse (1924–1999) was an American singer who recorded the original 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy' with Jimmy Dorsey
- The month May is named for Maia, the Roman goddess of growth and spring — one of the seven Pleiades in Greek mythology
- The American South has a tradition of double-barrel names (Peggy Sue, Billy Joe, Bobbie Jean) that has influenced naming trends worldwide through country music
Ellamae in Other Languages
Famous People Named Ellamae
Ella Mai
Musician
1994
British R&B singer-songwriter known for her hit 'Boo'd Up' (2018), though with a different spelling
Ella Mae Morse
Musician
1924
American swing and boogie-woogie singer who recorded 'Cow-Cow Boogie' in 1942, one of the first million-selling records ...
American swing and boogie-woogie singer who recorded 'Cow-Cow Boogie' in 1942, one of the first million-selling records by a female artist
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,428
- Total SSA Count
- 75
- Cultural Origins
- American American Southern English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ellamae
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About the Name Ellamae
Ellamae is a girl name with American, American Southern, and English origins . The name means "whole, all-encompassing (Ella) + month of May/spring (Mae)" in Germanic/Latin .
Ellamae is currently ranked #2,428 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Ellamae has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Ellamae include Ella, Mae, and Ellie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Ellamae include Ella, Ellarose, Ellanor, Ellanie, Ellah . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.