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NamyLab

Ellen

male
Updated 6 months ago

Meaning

"Light; Torch"

Ellen is an English form related to Helen, often associated with Greek elements glossed as light or torch.

Themes:lightgreekclassicenglish
UniqueRare

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Ellen

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

UnrankedNot ranked in 2024

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
Unranked

Ellen did not appear in the national SSA rankings for 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
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no national rank in 2024

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Ellen Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Ellen.

8 ideas
elle
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elly
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el
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leny
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EL
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elleny
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llen
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elle
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Baby Name Lists That Include Ellen

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Ellen, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

14 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Ellen mean?
Ellen means "Light; Torch". Ellen is an English form related to Helen, often associated with Greek elements glossed as light or torch.
What is the origin of Ellen?
Ellen is of Greek origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Ellen?
According to the latest SSA data, Ellen is currently not ranked in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Ellen a boy name?
Ellen is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Ellen?
Popular nicknames for Ellen include elle, elly, el, leny, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Ellen?
There are many names similar to Ellen in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginGreek, English
Syllables2
Length5 letters
Trend→ Stable
Starts withE

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Ellen

Ellen has Greek roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Greek baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Ellen appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Light and Unique Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Classic Greek Baby Names and Traditional English Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Ellen pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Ellen beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.