"settlement of Ella's people"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Ellington
Pronunciation: [ EHL-ihngt-uhn ]
Does Ellington flow with your last name?
A jazz legend's name with timeless sophistication
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"Ella's town or estate"
Origin: Anglo-Saxon
Language: English
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The Story of Ellington
Ellington is an Old English place name meaning 'settlement of Ella's people' or 'Ella's town,' derived from the personal name Ella combined with 'tun' (settlement). It began as a surname in northern England, most famously carried by the Ellington family from Northumberland. Like many aristocratic English surnames, it crossed over into use as a given name in the 19th century, reflecting the Victorian trend of honoring family heritage through naming.
Ellington gained renewed energy as a given name largely through jazz legend Duke Ellington's towering cultural legacy. The name carries the effortless cool of the big band era and has attracted parents seeking a distinguished musical reference. Surname-to-first-name naming trends of the 2010s also boosted Ellington's visibility.
In American culture, Ellington is inseparable from Edward Kennedy 'Duke' Ellington, one of the greatest composers and bandleaders in jazz history. His 50-year residency at the Cotton Club and hundreds of compositions have made the name synonymous with elegance, creativity, and Black American artistic excellence.
Historical Record
Ellington first appeared in US Social Security records in 1963.
Over 649 babies have been named Ellington in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ellington is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #5,217 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Duke Ellington won 13 Grammy Awards and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1969
- The town of Ellington in Connecticut, USA, was incorporated in 1786
- Ellington entered the US baby name charts in the early 2010s as surname-as-first-name style surged
Ellington in Other Languages
French
Ellington
German
Ellington
Spanish
Ellington
Japanese
エリントン
Popularity Over Time
#5,217
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ellington
E
Ellington Ratliff
Musician
1993
American drummer, member of the pop band R5 (later The Driver Era)
D
Duke Ellington
Musician
1899
Legendary American jazz composer, pianist, and bandleader, considered one of the most influential figures in jazz histor...
Legendary American jazz composer, pianist, and bandleader, considered one of the most influential figures in jazz history
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Compare Ellington with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #5,217
- Total SSA Count
- 19
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ellie
Ell
Tony
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ellington
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Ellington is also used as a girl name, ranked #3567.
View Ellington as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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"desiring peace, will and peace"
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Latin durare origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ellington
What does the name Ellington mean?
"settlement of Ella's people" (from Old English). "Ella's town or estate" (from Anglo-Saxon). Ellington is an Old English place name meaning 'settlement of Ella's people' or 'Ella's town,' derived from the personal name Ella combined with 'tun' (settlement). It began as a surname in northern England, most famously carried by the Ellington family from Northumberland. Like many aristocratic English surnames, it crossed over into use as a given name in the 19th century, reflecting the Victorian trend of honoring family heritage through naming.
What is the origin of the name Ellington?
Ellington has Old English, Anglo-Saxon, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "settlement of Ella's people". In Anglo-Saxon, it means "Ella's town or estate".
Is Ellington a boy or girl name?
Ellington is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #5217. As a girl name, it is ranked #3567. Ellington is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Ellington?
Ellington is pronounced EHL-ihngt-uhn.
How popular is the name Ellington?
Ellington is currently ranked #5217 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ellington?
Common nicknames for Ellington include Ellie, Ell, and Tony.
What are good middle names for Ellington?
Popular middle name pairings include Ellington James, Ellington Cole, Ellington Ray, Ellington Lee, Ellington Grant, and Ellington Scott.
What are good sibling names for Ellington?
Names that pair well with Ellington as siblings include Hollis, Beckett, Harriet, Vivienne, Fletcher, and Cordelia.
How many syllables does Ellington have?
Ellington has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Ellington a common or rare name?
Ellington is an uncommon name, ranked #5217 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Ellington?
About the Name Ellington
Ellington is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "settlement of Ella's people" in Old English .
Is Ellington a boy or girl name? Ellington is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #5,217 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #3,567. Ellington is more commonly used as a girl name.
Ellington is currently ranked #5,217 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Ellington has 3 syllables and is pronounced EHL-ihngt-uhn, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Ellington include Ellie, Ell, and Tony. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Ellington include Elliot, Elliott, Ellis, Ellison, Ellias . 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