"son of Ellis"
Origin: English
Language: English
Ellison
Pronunciation: [ EHL-ihs-uhn ]
Boy Name
#2,058 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
3 Syllables
A literary surname name meaning 'son of Elijah'
English
American
Sophisticated
Literary
Strong
Modern
Meaning & Origin
"son of Elijah"
Origin: Hebrew via English
Language: English
The Story of Ellison
Ellison is an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Ellis' or 'son of Elias.' Ellis itself derives from the Greek form of the Hebrew name Elijah, meaning 'my God is Yahweh.' The name has literary prestige through Ralph Ellison, the African American author of Invisible Man, one of the great American novels of the 20th century.
Ellison has been gradually rising as a given name in the 2010s and 2020s, benefiting from the trend toward literary and surname-derived names with intellectual cachet. Its connection to Ralph Ellison gives it cultural depth.
Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man (1952) is considered one of the defining works of American literature, exploring Black identity and experience. The name carries that intellectual and literary legacy for many parents.
Fun Facts
- Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man won the National Book Award in 1953 and is consistently ranked among the greatest American novels
- Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle Corporation, is one of the world's wealthiest people
Ellison in Other Languages
French
Ellison
German
Ellison
Spanish
Ellison
Famous People Named Ellison
L
Larry Ellison
Business
1944
American technology entrepreneur and co-founder of Oracle Corporation, one of the world's wealthiest individuals
R
Ralph Ellison
Writer
1914
American novelist, essayist, and scholar, author of Invisible Man, one of America's greatest literary works
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,058
- Total SSA Count
- 73
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Elli
Sonny
Pairs Well With
Ellison James
Ellison Cole
Ellison Reid
Ellison Grant
Ellison Thomas
Ellison Lane
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Ellison is also used as a girl name, ranked #1069.
View Ellison as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ellison
What does the name Ellison mean?
"son of Ellis" (from English). "son of Elijah" (from Hebrew via English). Ellison is an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Ellis' or 'son of Elias.' Ellis itself derives from the Greek form of the Hebrew name Elijah, meaning 'my God is Yahweh.' The name has literary prestige through Ralph Ellison, the African American author of Invisible Man, one of the great American novels of the 20th century.
What is the origin of the name Ellison?
Ellison has English, Hebrew via English, and American origins. In English, it means "son of Ellis". In Hebrew via English, it means "son of Elijah".
Is Ellison a boy or girl name?
Ellison is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2058. As a girl name, it is ranked #1069. Ellison is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Ellison?
Ellison is pronounced EHL-ihs-uhn.
How popular is the name Ellison?
Ellison is currently ranked #2058 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ellison?
Common nicknames for Ellison include Elli and Sonny.
What are good middle names for Ellison?
Popular middle name pairings include Ellison James, Ellison Cole, Ellison Reid, Ellison Grant, Ellison Thomas, and Ellison Lane.
What are good sibling names for Ellison?
Names that pair well with Ellison as siblings include Emerson, Addison, Ellis, Avery, Greer, and Sullivan.
How many syllables does Ellison have?
Ellison has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Ellison a common or rare name?
Ellison is an uncommon name, ranked #2058 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Ellison
Ellison is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "son of Ellis" in English .
Is Ellison a boy or girl name? Ellison is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,058 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #1,069. Ellison is more commonly used as a girl name.
Ellison is currently ranked #2,058 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Ellison has 3 syllables and is pronounced EHL-ihs-uhn, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Ellison include Elli and Sonny. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Ellison include Elliot, Elliott, Ellis, Ellias . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.