Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ellis
UnisexEnglish, Welsh· “from Elias; my God is Yahweh”
- Meaning
- from Elias; my God is Yahweh
- Origin
- English, Welsh
- Pronunciation
- EH-lihs
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #243
- US babies 2025
- 1,417
- Best rank
- #155 (1899)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Ellis
Ellis is an English and Welsh name that is usually said to mean “from Elias; my God is Yahweh”.
Ellis is an English and Welsh surname that developed from the medieval Elis, a form of Elias, the Greek version of the Hebrew Elijah, meaning my God is Yahweh. In Wales it may also reflect the old name Elisedd, linked to a word for kind. Ellis Island in New York Harbor, the gateway for millions of immigrants, gives the name a strong place in American history. As a first name Ellis is used for both boys and girls and has a relaxed, gentle charm. It fits well with names like Ezra, Miles and Ellison.
Other spellings with the same sound: Ellice.
Popularity over time
Ellis 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 146 different years. Its best national rank was #155 in 1899, and the most babies received it in 2025, when 1,417 were named Ellis. In 2025, 1,417 babies were named Ellis, and it ranked #243 nationally. That is 92% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #204 in 1920, #319 in 1950, #661 in 1980, #787 in 2000, #729 in 2010, and #243 in 2025. Of the 50,403 US boys named Ellis since records began, 14% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 7,039 babies.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Lennon, Dallas, Palmer, Milan, and Shiloh.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ellis ranked highest in Maine, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | #131 | 10 |
| Arkansas | #135 | 26 |
| Louisiana | #137 | 37 |
| Tennessee | #139 | 69 |
| District of Columbia | #145 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Ellis is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 28% of US babies named Ellis were girls and 72% were boys.
Ellis is usually pronounced EH-lihs, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with E and ends in “-is”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Ellice.
Middle names for Ellis
A few middle names that flow with Ellis: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ellis
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Lists that include Ellis
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ellis mean?
Ellis is an English and Welsh name that is usually said to mean “from Elias; my God is Yahweh”.
What is the origin of the name Ellis?
Ellis has English, Welsh, and Hebrew roots. Ellis is an English and Welsh surname that developed from the medieval Elis, a form of Elias, the Greek version of the Hebrew Elijah, meaning my God is Yahweh.
Is Ellis a popular name?
Yes. Ellis ranked #243 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Ellis a boy or girl name?
Ellis is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 28% of US babies named Ellis were girls and 72% were boys.
How do you pronounce Ellis?
Ellis is usually pronounced EH-lihs. 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