Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Ella is a name with Germanic roots, meaning 'fairy' or 'elf.' Its historical forms trace back to Old English and it has evolved into a popular modern name. While it does not have biblical relevance, Ella is recognized for its charm and elegance, and it has been favored since the 19th century. Notable figures bearing the name have contributed to its positive image.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɛl.ə/
Origin
Germanic
Etymology
The name Ella is derived from the Germanic element 'alh,' which means 'elf' or 'fairy.' It has also been associated with the Old French name 'Aela' and the Hebrew name 'Elah,' meaning 'goddess' or 'oak tree.'
Meaning
Fairy, elf
Language Evolution
Old English: Ælla, Old High German: Alah, Middle English: Elle, Modern English: Ella
Historical Usage
Ella gained popularity in the 19th century and has remained a favored name in various cultures, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Variants & Derivatives
El, Ellie, Elle, Elsie
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Ella is perceived as a charming and elegant name, often associated with grace and beauty. It has consistently ranked among the top names for girls in recent years.
Famous People
Ella Fitzgerald - an iconic American jazz singer., Ella Henderson - a British singer and songwriter., Ella Purnell - an English actress.
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 9,897 peak births in 2010
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Mississippi
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (6 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 6 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1858th of 7545 | 283 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1906th of 6773 | 268 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4003rd of 7552 | 70 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 10102nd of 10718 | 6 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 7812th of 24088 | 134 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 11932nd of 23106 | 51 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 78th of 9107 | 62,141 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 131st of 9204 | 34,842 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 261st of 12526 | 20,530 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 629th of 19264 | 4,195 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 868th of 27321 | 3,356 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 40th of 35406 | 98,165 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 16th of 30306 | 89,253 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
85.68% 2016th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
52.56% 3844th/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
7.91% 112th/1416 |
9.35% 129th/1379 |
2.07% 49th/2366 |
9.98% 114th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
11.64% 180th/1546 |
12.53% 195th/1556 |
2.85% 67th/2353 |
12.48% 193rd/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
16.43% 366th/2227 |
16.05% 390th/2430 |
5.78% 165th/2853 |
14.38% 399th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
22.85% 671st/2937 |
21.59% 752nd/3483 |
13.42% 472nd/3518 |
25.37% 1026th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
20.14% 742nd/3685 |
18.01% 806th/4475 |
18.50% 961st/5194 |
17.57% 1110th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
0.59% 27th/4582 |
0.74% 38th/5164 |
0.64% 47th/7313 |
0.68% 51st/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
0.38% 15th/3984 |
0.27% 12th/4487 |
0.25% 17th/6822 |
0.38% 24th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Mississippi across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been consistently rising. From 2020-2022, usage has been too falling for female in MidWest, too rising for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too rising for female in South, too rising for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been too falling for female in MidWest, too falling for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for female in South, too falling for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1858th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1906th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4003rd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 10102nd out of 10718 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 7812th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 11932nd out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 78th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 131st out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 261st out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 629th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 868th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 40th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 16th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
