Elida

eh-lee-duh
Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, Danish, Portuguese, Spanish, Greek
"fast-sailing ship; noble; valley, lowland"

Elida Origin and Meaning

The name Elida is a girl's name meaning "fast-sailing ship; noble; valley, lowland".

A multicultural choice and an unusual way to nicknames Ellie or Elle, Elida has its origins in Spain, Greece, Portugal, and Scandinavia. It has appeared in the charts in the US, France, and Spain back in the 20th century, but more recently in Brazil and Norway.

From its Scandinavian roots, Elida is an alternative form of Ellida, itself from the Old Norse Elliði meaning "fast-sailing ship". The Ellida spelling appears in the 1888 play, The Lady from the Sea by Henrik Ibsen (most famous for A Doll's House). In this case, it might be pronounced as EHL-lee-dah or e-LEE-da.

From its Portuguese origins, it is considered a form of Alida, a diminutive of the regal Adelaide, meaning "noble". It could then be pronounced eh-LY-duh or eh-LEE-duh.

Finally, as a Spanish name, it is typically spelled as Élida, most likely inspired by Élide, the Spanish name for the Ancient Greek place, Elis, meaning "valley", "lowland", or "hollow earth".

# 979 in the US

Elida Rank in US Top 1000

The name Elida in Pop Culture

  • Ellida
    character in the Ibsen play 'The Lady from the Sea'
  • Scandinavian name
    a (more common) variation of Ellida, which is a feminine form of Elliði, a ship name in medieval saga (meaning "fast,sailing ship" in Old Norse)
  • Pronounced "eh
    LEE,dah"