Ellie

English, diminutive of Eleanor and Ellen

"bright shining one"

Ellie Origin and Meaning

The name Ellie is a girl's name of English origin meaning "bright shining one".

Ellie first took off in the UK—yes, in this nickname form—and this warm and friendly name has also become hugely popular here. In 2011, Ellie entered the US Top 100 girl names for the first time and has remained near the top of the charts ever since.

Ellie derived as a nickname for names beginning with El-, such as Eleanor, Ella, and Elizabeth. In fact, Ellie's biggest downside is that it's used as a nickname for so many names, and given so frequently on its own, that you are sure to hear it far more than you might guess. Ellie is the standard spelling, but Elly and Elli are occasionally seen as variations.

Ellie also has surprising international range, ranking highly not only in English-speaking countries but throughout Scandinavia and in Belgium and Switzerland.

Ellie has been making many media appearances. Most recently, she's the young heroine played by Bella Ramsey in The Last of Us, based on a popular video game. Ellie has also been seen in the animated film Up, on The West Wing, and even as a woolly mammoth in the film Ice Age: The Meltdown.

Ellie Popularity

• 33 US 2022
• 188 Nameberry 2024
• 28 Future 2028
• 78 England 2021
• 27 Scotland 2023
• 6 Ireland 2023
• 28 Australia 2022
• 40 New Zealand 2023
• 12 Sweden 2022
• 28 Norway 2023
• 17 Denmark 2022
• 33 Belgium 2022
• 78 Switzerland 2022
• 21 Dogs 2022
• 26 Cats 2022
• 19 Canada 2022