What origin is the name Ellen?

Ellen comes from greek naming traditions. Names from this origin often carry meanings tied to nature, virtues or heritage.

Is Ellen a popular name?

Ellen is very rare in official US birth records — fewer than 5 babies of this gender were given the name in any year we checked.

What are good brother names for Ellen?

Names from the same greek tradition pair naturally with Ellen — for example Alexander, Christopher, Lucas. You can browse more on our greek names page.

Ellen

Q: Is Ellen a rare name?

Yes. Ellen does not appear in US Social Security birth records, which list every name given to at least 5 babies, so it is rare in the US.

Discover the meaning and origin of the name Ellen

Ellen

Unisex

greek

2 syllables

Ellen is a greek unisex name meaning "Light; a variant of the greek helen, meaning shining light, or most beautiful woman. famous bearer: british actress dame ellen terry".

Parents who choose Ellen pick a unisex name from the greek tradition, meaning "Light; a variant of the greek helen, meaning shining light, or most beautiful woman. famous bearer: british actress dame ellen terry". It has 2 syllables.

Origin: greek
Gender: Unisex
Syllables: 2

Meaning compiled from public name lists.

Meaning

Light; a variant of the greek helen, meaning shining light, or most beautiful woman. famous bearer: british actress dame ellen terry

Popularity

Very rare in US records (source: US Social Security Administration birth records (best rank 2008–2017))

Quick answers about Ellen

Very rare in US records

What does Ellen mean?

Ellen is a unisex name of greek origin meaning "Light; a variant of the greek helen, meaning shining light, or most beautiful woman. famous bearer: british actress dame ellen terry".

Is Ellen a rare name?

Yes. Ellen does not appear in official US birth records for 2017, meaning fewer than 5 babies got the name that year.

Brother names that go with Ellen

Alexander Christopher Lucas Andrew Sebastian Luke

Combine Ellen with another name

Our free name combiner blends two names into new baby name ideas.

Names with a similar meaning to Ellen

Ellen means "Light; a variant of the greek helen, meaning shining light, or most beautiful woman. famous bearer: british actress dame ellen terry" — these names share that spirit.