Ellen
A girls’ name of Greek origin, meaning bright, shining; form of Helen.
How Ellen has moved
View as table
| Year | US rank |
|---|---|
| 2015 | #701 |
| 2016 | #652 |
| 2017 | #734 |
| 2018 | #766 |
| 2019 | #799 |
| 2020 | #810 |
| 2021 | #920 |
Ellen by the numbers
In 2025, 33 babies in England and Wales were named Ellen. In the US, 383 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given noticeably more often in the US than in England and Wales.
Its American peak was 5,944 babies in 1951, so it is a 1950s name that has since fallen a long way.
Names that come from Ellen
Forms of Ellen in other languages, names built from it, and names that mean a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.
- Maryellenbitter grace light; combination of Mary and Ellen4 in England and Wales (2025)
- Ellinoak tree; a form of Ellen8 in the US (2017)
- Louellenfamous warrior; a blend of Lou and Ellen5 in the US (2017)
- Nellie-Gracebright warrior combined with grace; compound of Ellen and Grace3 in England and Wales (2025)
- Suellengrace and God is my light; blend of Sue and Ellen
Other names that come from Helen
Like Ellen, each of these traces back to Helen: a form of it, a name built from it, or a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.
- Elainabright light; a form of Helen1,137 in the US (2017)
- Lanabright or fair; a form of Helen or Alana185 in England and Wales (2025)
- Helenbright, shining light758 in the US (2017)
- Aleenabright, shining; a form of Helen or Alena150 in England and Wales (2025)
- Alenabright, shining; form of Helen462 in the US (2017)
- Nelliebright shining one; diminutive of Helen458 in England and Wales (2025)
- Aileenbright; shining; a form of Helen454 in the US (2017)
- Elinabright shining light; form of Helen69 in England and Wales (2025)
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Ellen. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
- Elleshe; a form of Eleanor or Ellen828 in the US (2017)
- Elleeshining light; a respelling of Ellie or Eleanor68 in the US (2017)
- Ellenabright light; a form of Helen65 in the US (2017)
- Ellynbright light; a variant of Helen21 in the US (2017)
- Elenbright light; a form of Helen9 in England and Wales (2025)
- Elleybright torch; a form of Eleanor9 in the US (2017)
Sounds like Ellen
Names that are said the same way as Ellen, however they are written. Sounding alike does not mean they share a history.
- Elainebright light; form of Helen506 in the US (2017)
- Eileenbright or shining one; form of Evelyn421 in the US (2017)
- Elinbright, shining; related to Helen40 in England and Wales (2025)
- Elanenthusiasm; liveliness; spirited vigor142 in the US (2017)
- Elaynebright light; a form of Helen29 in the US (2017)
- Eyleenbright or shining; a form of Eileen19 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean light
Like Ellen, each of these has light in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
Names about as common as Ellen
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