The nameEllis
Ellis is a Welsh and English surname from Elisedd or Elias. It is popular in England and Wales.
- Boy's name
- Welsh and English
Meaning
Ellis comes from the Welsh Elisedd, "kind, benevolent", or from Elias, the medieval form of Elijah.
Origin
Welsh and English, from a surname.
History
Ellis Island, the immigration station of New York, made the name famous. In England and Wales Ellis reached 76th place in 2019.
Famous people named Ellis
- Ellis Peters, pen name of the crime writer Edith Pargeter
- Ellis Genge, rugby player
Popularity of the name Ellis
Ellis in the United States
Ellis was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 9,865 births over the decade, 18% of all recorded babies named Ellis. Its rise began around 1911, and it peaked in 2024. Half of all babies named Ellis in the United States were born before 1962, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 1,559 births a year on average, against 1,327 in the five years before.
Ellis in the United Kingdom
Ellis was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 8,426 births over the decade, 37% of all recorded babies named Ellis. Half of all babies named Ellis in the United Kingdom were born before 2011, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 707 births a year on average, against 864 in the five years before.
Ellis in Belgium
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Ellis
Names from the same generation as Ellis, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Ellis? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Ellis with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Ellis side by side with the name of your choice.
Ellis in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ellis mean?
Ellis comes from the Welsh Elisedd, "kind, benevolent", or from Elias, the medieval form of Elijah.
What is the origin of the name Ellis?
Welsh and English, from a surname.
Is Ellis a girl's or a boy's name?
Ellis is a boy's name. In the United States, 12% of the babies named Ellis are girls.
How popular is the name Ellis?
In 2024, Ellis was the 273rd most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 1,250 births.
What are the variants of the name Ellis?
Variants and related names of Ellis include Élie and Elijah.
What are good sibling names for Ellis?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Zara, Athena, Leia and Vera for a sister, Ronan, Remy, Muhammad and Sullivan for a brother.
Who are famous people named Ellis?
Ellis Peters, pen name of the crime writer Edith Pargeter; Ellis Genge, rugby player.