"bright, shining light"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Ellie
Pronunciation: [ EHL-ee ]
Does Ellie flow with your last name?
Sunshine in two syllables
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"my God is gracious"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
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The Story of Ellie
Ellie began as a nickname for Eleanor (meaning bright or foreign) and Ellen/Elena (Greek, meaning torch or bright), but has grown into an independent given name. The core element El- appears in many names derived from the Greek helios (sun) or the Hebrew El (God), giving Ellie connections to both traditions of radiance and the divine.
Ellie has transformed from a grandmother's nickname to one of the freshest, most popular names in the English-speaking world. In the UK, Ireland, and Australia it has consistently ranked in the top 10. In the US it cracked the top 20 in the 2010s. The Pixar film Up (2009), featuring the beloved Ellie, gave the name an emotional, tender quality.
In the UK, Ellie has been associated with warmth, approachability, and a certain down-to-earth British charm. Ellie Goulding brought it to a younger generation as an artist name. The character Ellie in Up became one of Pixar's most beloved characters despite only appearing in a brief flashback sequence.
Historical Record
Ellie first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 95,790 babies have been named Ellie in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ellie is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #21 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Ellie has been a top-10 name in England and Wales for over a decade
- The character Ellie in Pixar's Up is considered one of cinema's most moving characters despite minimal screen time
- Ellie Williams from The Last of Us became one of gaming's most celebrated protagonists
Ellie in Other Languages
Irish
Éilí
French
Ellie
German
Ellie
Italian
Ellie
Spanish
Ellie
Popularity Over Time
#21
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ellie
E
Ellie Bamber
Actor
1997
British actress known for Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Dolls & Em
E
Ellie Goulding
Musician
1986
English singer-songwriter known for Starry Eyed, Burn, and Love Me Like You Do
E
Ellie Kemper
Actor
1980
American actress, comedian and writer known for Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and The Office
E
Ellie (Up) Fictional
Other
Beloved wife of Carl Fredricksen in Pixar's Up (2009), whose memory drives the entire film
E
Ellie Williams Fictional
Other
Survivor protagonist of The Last of Us video game and HBO series, played by Bella Ramsey
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #21
- Total SSA Count
- 6,306
- Cultural Origins
- English American Irish Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Nicknames
Ell
Ely
Elie
Ellkins
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ellie
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Ellie is also used as a boy name, ranked #34173.
View Ellie as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ellie
What does the name Ellie mean?
"bright, shining light" (from Greek). "my God is gracious" (from Hebrew). Ellie began as a nickname for Eleanor (meaning bright or foreign) and Ellen/Elena (Greek, meaning torch or bright), but has grown into an independent given name. The core element El- appears in many names derived from the Greek helios (sun) or the Hebrew El (God), giving Ellie connections to both traditions of radiance and the divine.
What is the origin of the name Ellie?
Ellie has Greek, Hebrew, English, American, Irish, and Australian origins. In Greek, it means "bright, shining light". In Hebrew, it means "my God is gracious".
Is Ellie a boy or girl name?
Ellie is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #21. As a boy name, it is ranked #34173. Ellie is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Ellie?
Ellie is pronounced EHL-ee.
How popular is the name Ellie?
Ellie is currently ranked #21 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ellie?
Common nicknames for Ellie include Ell, Ely, Elie, and Ellkins.
What are good middle names for Ellie?
Popular middle name pairings include Ellie Mae, Ellie Rose, Ellie Grace, Ellie Jane, Ellie Kate, Ellie Claire, and Ellie Jo.
What are good sibling names for Ellie?
Names that pair well with Ellie as siblings include Sophie, Oliver, Jack, Ruby, Charlie, Isla, and Finn.
How many syllables does Ellie have?
Ellie has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Ellie a common or rare name?
Ellie is a very popular name, ranked #21 among girl names in the United States.
What girl names are similar to Ellie?
About the Name Ellie
Ellie is a girl name with English, American, Irish, and Australian origins . The name means "bright, shining light" in Greek .
Is Ellie a boy or girl name? Ellie is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #21 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #34,173. Ellie is more commonly used as a girl name.
Ellie is currently ranked #21 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Ellie has 2 syllables and is pronounced EHL-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Ellie include Ell, Ely, Elie, and Ellkins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Ellie include Elliana, Elliott, Ellianna, Ellis, Elliot . 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