Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Ela
GirlPolish, Turkish· “short form of Elżbieta or Daniela”
- Meaning
- short form of Elżbieta or Daniela
- Origin
- Polish, Turkish
- Pronunciation
- EH-luh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,562
- US babies 2025
- 135
- Best rank
- #942 (1903)
- Peak year
- 2018
Meaning and origin of Ela
Ela is a Polish and Turkish name that is usually said to mean “short form of Elżbieta or Daniela”.
Ela is a short form of several names. In Polish, it is a common nickname for Elżbieta, the Polish form of Elizabeth, meaning God is my oath, and it can also shorten Daniela or Michaela. In Turkish, Ela means hazel, used especially to describe eye color. The name is short, sweet and easy to pronounce across languages. It fits the popularity of names like Ella and Eva. Ela works as a full name or as a nickname, and it has a warm, international feel with gentle charm.
Other spellings with the same sound: Ella.
Popularity over time
Ela first appears in US Social Security records in 1887. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 2 different years, starting in 1898. Its best national rank was #942 in 1903, and the most babies received it in 2018, when 150 were named Ela. In 2025, 135 babies were named Ela, and it ranked #1,562 nationally. That is 36% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #2,628 in 1920, #7,278 in 2000, #1,764 in 2010, and #1,562 in 2025. Of the 2,846 US girls named Ela since records began, 40% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 699 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Laikyn, Akshara, Ayvah, Annistyn, and Klara.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ela ranked highest in Connecticut, Florida, and Massachusetts.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | #558 | 5 |
| Florida | #721 | 23 |
| Massachusetts | #792 | 6 |
| Illinois | #866 | 10 |
| New York | #1043 | 14 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Ela is usually pronounced EH-luh, with two syllables. It has three letters, starts with E and ends in “-la”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Ella.
Middle names for Ela
A few middle names that flow with Ela: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ela
Similar names
Ayla Girl
AY-luh
“moonlight halo; oak tree” · Turkish
#77
Leyla Girl
LAY-luh
“night” · Turkish
#611
Paola Girl
pah-OH-luh
“small” · Italian
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Shayla Girl
SHAY-luh
“modern name; uncertain origin” · American (modern coinage)
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Perla Girl
PUR-luh
“pearl” · Spanish
#1,590
Shyla Girl
SHY-luh
“uncertain; modern name” · American (modern coinage)
#2,322
Zayla Girl
ZAY-luh
“modern name; uncertain origin” · American (modern coinage)
#1,012
Kaila Girl
KAY-luh
“modern variant of Kayla” · American (modern coinage)
#2,133
Leela Girl
LEE-luh
“play, divine play” · Sanskrit
#1,282
Zola Girl
ZOH-luh
Italian
#1,338
Nahla Girl
NAH-luh
“a drink of water” · Arabic
#2,850
Calla Girl
KAL-uh
“calla lily; beauty” · Greek
#1,397
Lists that include Ela
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ela mean?
Ela is a Polish and Turkish name that is usually said to mean “short form of Elżbieta or Daniela”.
What is the origin of the name Ela?
Ela has Polish and Turkish roots. Ela is a short form of several names.
Is Ela a popular name?
Not especially. Ela ranked #1,562 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ela a boy or girl name?
Ela is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Ela?
Ela is usually pronounced EH-luh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings