Ellis
Ellis is a unisex name of Welsh origin meaning “benevolent, kind; my God is Yahweh.” It ranked #243 in the United States in 2025. Derived from the Welsh name Elisedd, related to the Hebrew Elias.
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how do you pronounce Ellis?
EL-is
where does the name Ellis come from?
As an English surname Ellis comes from Elis, a form of Elias, related to Elijah, and sometimes from Elice, a pet form of Elizabeth; as a Welsh surname it is shortened from Elisedd, meaning benevolent or kind.
It also recalls Ellis Island, the iconic U.S. immigration gateway, giving it a sense of heritage and new beginnings.
how popular is this name?
Ellis has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 146 years since 1880. It peaked at #154 in 1899, and ranked #243 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #243 |
| 2024 | #273 |
| 2023 | #275 |
| 2022 | #307 |
| 2021 | #320 |
| 2020 | #326 |
| 2019 | #342 |
| 2018 | #318 |
| 2017 | #311 |
| 2016 | #347 |
| 2010 | #729 |
| 2000 | #785 |
| 1990 | #757 |
| 1980 | #661 |
| 1970 | #594 |
| 1960 | #420 |
| 1950 | #319 |
| 1940 | #270 |
| 1930 | #242 |
| 1920 | #204 |
| 1910 | #185 |
| 1900 | #173 |
| 1899 | #154 |
| 1890 | #190 |
| 1880 | #209 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Ellis fell outside the top 1,000.
who are famous people named Ellis?
- Ellis Island
- Ellis Paul
what are the nicknames and variants of Ellis?
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Ellis?
what names go well with Ellis?
Sibling names that share Ellis's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Ellis
What does the name Ellis mean?
Ellis means “benevolent, kind; my God is Yahweh”.
What is the origin of the name Ellis?
Ellis comes from the Welsh naming tradition. Related forms include Elis.
How popular is the name Ellis?
Ellis ranked #243 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1899, at #154, and it has spent 146 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Ellis a boy or girl name?
Ellis is a unisex name, used for both boys and girls.
How do you pronounce Ellis?
Ellis is pronounced EL-is, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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