Ellis

Updated: October 12, 2023 by Olivia Mittak

When you think of names that have lasted centuries, Ellis may not be the first one to come to mind. It's been popular in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages. In the United States, it's been in the top 1,000 since at least the turn of the 19th century, and it's currently on the rise. Throughout history, the name has been associated with writers and musicians, and if you're looking for a cool origin story, you have several to choose from when it comes to the baby name Ellis.

Meaning and Origin of the Name Ellis:

Ellis has a few potential origins. Some say it is derived from the Hebrew name Elijah. Others believe it's the English version of the Welsh name Elisedd. In France, as a surname, Ellis is thought to be derived from “fleur-de-lis,” a symbol of a lily that was used to represent Catholic saints in France and is considered a decorative symbol today. Today, Ellis is often associated with Ellis Island, a former immigrant processing center for the United States. The name is often interpreted to either mean “kind” or “the Lord is my God”.

Symbolism of the Name Ellis:

Depending on which origin story you believe, Ellis may symbolize royalty or have religious meaning. If you believe it was derived from the Hebrew name Elijah, you may know that Elijah in the Bible was a prophet who rode chariots of fire to heaven. If you believe it was derived from the Welsh name Elisedd, you may believe it symbolizes royalty as that was the name of several kings in Wales during the Middle Ages. The French origin relating to the fleur-de-lis was thought to symbolize several Catholic Saints, particularly the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph.

Nicknames for the Name Ellis:

Ellis doesn't have a lot of nicknames that go with it, but it does have a few options! They are:

Eli
El
Lis
Ells
Lissy
Lessy

Style of the Name Ellis:

Traditional

Gender of the Name Ellis:

Ellis is a boy's name.

Pronunciation of the Name Ellis:

EL-is

Number of Syllables in the Name Ellis:

Two

Emotion Evoked From the Name Ellis:

Because the baby name Ellis has been used by many writers, musicians, and literary and movie characters, it often evokes images of someone who is intelligent and creative.

Alternative Spellings for the Name Ellis:

Elis
Elys
Ellys

Popularity of the Name Ellis:

Ellis has been on the list of the top 1,000 baby names since at least 1900. In 2022, it ranked at number 307, according to the Social Security Administration.