Ella
Ella: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɛl.ə/
Meaning and origin of Ella
- A female given name.
- A diminutive of the female given names Eleanor, Ellen, Gabriella, and Daniella.
Etymology
A 19th-century shortening of Eleanor or Ellen, later also used for any name ending in -ella, such as Gabriella or Daniella. Similar abbreviations have been formed independently in many European languages, for any name containing the syllable -el-, e.g. Elisabeth.
How popular is Ella?
Since 1880, 351,313 girls and 901 boys in the U.S. have been named Ella (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #12 in 2011. Its highest rank for boys was #673 in 1898. In 2025 it ranked #29 for girls, with 5,831 babies given the name.
Names similar to Ella
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
Sibling name ideas for Ella
Names that peaked around the same time as Ella and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Ella FAQ
What does the name Ella mean?
A female given name. A diminutive of the female given names Eleanor, Ellen, Gabriella, and Daniella. A 19th-century shortening of Eleanor or Ellen, later also used for any name ending in -ella, such as Gabriella or Daniella. Similar abbreviations have been formed independently in many European languages, for any name containing the syllable -el-, e.g. Elisabeth.
How popular is the name Ella?
Since 1880, 351,313 girls and 901 boys in the U.S. have been named Ella (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #12 in 2011. Its highest rank for boys was #673 in 1898. In 2025 it ranked #29 for girls, with 5,831 babies given the name.
Is Ella a boy or girl name?
Ella is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 351,313 girls and 901 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.