Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Ella
GirlGermanic, English· “other; also a short form”
- Meaning
- other; also a short form
- Origin
- Germanic, English
- Pronunciation
- EH-luh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #29
- US babies 2025
- 5,831
- Best rank
- #12 (2011)
- Peak year
- 2010
Meaning and origin of Ella
Ella is a Germanic and English name that is usually said to mean “other; also a short form”.
Ella came to England with the Normans as a short Germanic name based on alja, usually translated "other" or "foreign". Over time it also became a nickname for longer names such as Eleanor, Isabella, Gabriella and Ellen, and many families now choose it for that reason. Jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, known as the First Lady of Song, gave it warmth and musical fame in the twentieth century. It was a Victorian favorite that faded and then returned strongly in recent decades. Ella is short, sweet and easy to spell in almost any language. It stands confidently on its own and pairs well with longer middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Ela.
Famous parents who chose Ella: Jesse Palmer and Emely Fardo (2024). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
Ella has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 141 different years. Its best national rank was #12 in 2011, and the most babies received it in 2010, when 9,884 were named Ella. In 2025, 5,831 babies were named Ella, and it ranked #29 nationally. That is 26% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #88 in 1920, #198 in 1950, #881 in 1980, #264 in 2000, #13 in 2010, and #29 in 2025. Of the 351,313 US girls named Ella since records began, 24% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 67,544 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Lily, Chloe, Kaylee, Brooklyn, and Leah.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ella ranked highest in North Dakota, Vermont, and South Dakota.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | #7 | 29 |
| Vermont | #11 | 15 |
| South Dakota | #12 | 29 |
| Alabama | #13 | 117 |
| Kentucky | #14 | 122 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Ella is usually pronounced EH-luh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with E and ends in “-la”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Ela.
Middle names for Ella
A few middle names that flow with Ella: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ella
Similar names
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Lists that include Ella
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ella mean?
Ella is a Germanic and English name that is usually said to mean “other; also a short form”.
What is the origin of the name Ella?
Ella has Germanic and English roots. Ella came to England with the Normans as a short Germanic name based on alja, usually translated "other" or "foreign".
Is Ella a popular name?
Yes. Ella ranked #29 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Ella a boy or girl name?
Ella is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Ella?
Ella 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