"bright, shining light"
Origin: Greek via Latin
Language: English
Elly
Pronunciation: [ EHL-ee ]
Does Elly flow with your last name?
Sunshine in two syllables
English
Scandinavian
Dutch
Gentle
Classic
Playful
Vintage
Sweet
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Names Like Elly
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
"God is my light (Elizabeth origin)"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
"other, foreign"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
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The Story of Elly
Elly is a variant spelling of Ellie, itself a diminutive of Eleanor, Ellen, or Elizabeth. Eleanor derives from the Provençal Aliénor, possibly from the Germanic Alja-Elnore meaning other, foreign and light. Ellie as a standalone name has become increasingly popular, with Elly offering a softer, slightly more unusual spelling that maintains the same sweet sound.
The Ellie/Elly sound has surged in popularity across English-speaking countries in the 2000s-2010s. Ellie ranked in the US top 20 for girls in recent years. The variant spelling Elly appeals to parents who want the beloved sound but a less common orthography.
Elly Jackson is the stage name of La Roux lead singer Elena Steed, bringing modern pop culture visibility to the spelling. The name has a warm, nostalgic quality that resonates across generations.
Historical Record
Elly first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 4,361 babies have been named Elly in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Elly is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,731 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Elly is a common given name and nickname in the Netherlands, where it has been used independently for generations
- Eleanor Roosevelt was often called Eleanor, while Eleanor of Aquitaine is one of history's most powerful medieval queens
Elly in Other Languages
Dutch
Elly
French
Élie (masc.)
German
Elly
Spanish
Ellie
Scandinavian
Elly
Popularity Over Time
#1,731
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Elly
E
Elly Jackson
Musician
1988
English singer-songwriter known as the lead vocalist of La Roux
E
Ellie Goulding
Musician
1986
British singer-songwriter known for Lights and Burn (common variant spelling)
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Compare Elly with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,731
- Total SSA Count
- 117
- Cultural Origins
- English Scandinavian Dutch
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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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, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
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 Elly
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Elly is also used as a boy name, ranked #30227.
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Germanic (Adalheidis) origin
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Geographic origin
"the Italian peninsula"
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Old Norse/Celtic origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Elly
What does the name Elly mean?
"bright, shining light" (from Greek via Latin). "God is my light (Elizabeth origin)" (from Hebrew). "other, foreign" (from Germanic). Elly is a variant spelling of Ellie, itself a diminutive of Eleanor, Ellen, or Elizabeth. Eleanor derives from the Provençal Aliénor, possibly from the Germanic Alja-Elnore meaning other, foreign and light. Ellie as a standalone name has become increasingly popular, with Elly offering a softer, slightly more unusual spelling that maintains the same sweet sound.
What is the origin of the name Elly?
Elly has Greek via Latin, Hebrew, Germanic, English, Scandinavian, and Dutch origins. In Greek via Latin, it means "bright, shining light". In Hebrew, it means "God is my light (Elizabeth origin)". In Germanic, it means "other, foreign".
Is Elly a boy or girl name?
Elly is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1731. As a boy name, it is ranked #30227. Elly is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Elly?
Elly is pronounced EHL-ee.
How popular is the name Elly?
Elly is currently ranked #1731 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Elly?
Popular middle name pairings include Elly Grace, Elly Rose, Elly Jane, Elly May, Elly Faith, and Elly Claire.
What are good sibling names for Elly?
Names that pair well with Elly as siblings include Henry, Oliver, Lily, Maisie, Charlie, and Ivy.
How many syllables does Elly have?
Elly has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Elly a common or rare name?
Elly is an uncommon name, ranked #1731 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Elly?
About the Name Elly
Elly is a girl name with English, Scandinavian, and Dutch origins . The name means "bright, shining light" in Greek via Latin .
Is Elly a boy or girl name? Elly is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,731 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #30,227. Elly is more commonly used as a girl name.
Elly is currently ranked #1,731 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Elly has 2 syllables and is pronounced EHL-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Elly include Ellie, Ella, Elliana, Elle, Elliott . 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