Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Ellie
GirlEnglish· “short form of Eleanor or Ellen”
- Meaning
- short form of Eleanor or Ellen
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- EL-ee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #24
- US babies 2025
- 6,176
- Best rank
- #21 (2024)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Ellie
Ellie is an English name that means “short form of Eleanor or Ellen”.
Ellie began as a pet form of names such as Eleanor, Ellen, Elizabeth and Eliza, and it now stands on its own as a full given name. Its meaning follows whichever longer name it comes from, which gives families some flexibility in how they present it. It became common as an independent name in Britain and then in the United States, part of a wider fashion for friendly, nickname-style names. Ellie feels warm, sweet and approachable, suited to a toddler and still natural for an adult. Some parents choose a longer name on the birth certificate and use Ellie every day.
Other spellings with the same sound: Elly, Elie, Elley.
Popularity over time
Ellie 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 85 different years. Its best national rank was #21 in 2024, the same year it reached its highest count of 6,317 babies. In 2025, 6,176 babies were named Ellie, and it ranked #24 nationally. That is 27% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #792 in 1920, #1,396 in 1950, #1,554 in 1980, #360 in 2000, #104 in 2010, and #24 in 2025. Of the 105,677 US girls named Ellie since records began, 41% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 35,725 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Nora, Lucy, Isla, Lainey, and Aurora.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ellie ranked highest in North Dakota, Louisiana, and South Dakota.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | #4 | 33 |
| Louisiana | #7 | 114 |
| South Dakota | #7 | 31 |
| Kentucky | #8 | 152 |
| Alabama | #10 | 141 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Ellie is usually pronounced EL-ee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with E and ends in “-ie”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Elly, Elie, and Elley.
Middle names for Ellie
A few middle names that flow with Ellie: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ellie
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Lists that include Ellie
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ellie mean?
Ellie is an English name that means “short form of Eleanor or Ellen”.
What is the origin of the name Ellie?
Ellie has English roots. Ellie began as a pet form of names such as Eleanor, Ellen, Elizabeth and Eliza, and it now stands on its own as a full given name.
Is Ellie a popular name?
Yes. Ellie ranked #24 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Ellie a boy or girl name?
Ellie is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Ellie?
Ellie is usually pronounced EL-ee. 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