Ellie

Updated: October 15, 2023 by Stephanie Graham

Ellie is an English name meaning “bright, shining one.” Ellie is the nickname for names beginning with El-, like Ellen, Elizabeth, and Eleanor. This cute alternative to those names has surpassed them in popularity in the last decade as Ellie has been in the top 100 since 2011.

Meaning and Origin of the name Ellie:

Ellie is girl's name of English origin that means “bright, shining one.”

Ellie is a diminutive of names like Eleanor, Ellen, and other names starting with El-. The names Eleanor and Ellen are derived from the Greek word for the sun, hēlios. This is where Ellie gets the meaning “bright, shining one.” It is often used as a nickname, but it is also a stand-alone first name. Ellie may have been derived from the Greek goddess Helle, who was the goddess of the body of water called the Hellespont.

Symbolism of the name Ellie:

The meaning “bright, shining one” brings to mind symbols like a torch or a fire that brings light into the darkness. This could symbolize helping those that are in need or are in a dark place and just need a hand.

Nicknames for the name Ellie:

Ellie is a very sweet-sounding and adorable name for girls. Because it's a short name, there are only a few nicknames for this name. To help you find a nickname for your little girl, we compiled this list of nicknames for Ellie.

Style of the name Ellie:

Traditional

Gender of the name Ellie:

Ellie is a girl's name.

Pronunciation of the name Ellie:

EHL-ee

Number of syllables in the name Ellie:

Two

Emotion evoked from the name Ellie:

Ellie evokes emotions of kindness and charity.

Alternative spellings for the name Ellie:

Elly
Ely
Elie

Popularity of the name Ellie:

According to the Social Security Administration, Ellie is a favorite baby name that has been in the top 100 baby names since 2011, as high as #29 in 2020.