How to say it
EL · ee
ˈɛl.i
Feminine
Ellie
Shining light
What it means
Originally a nickname for Eleanor, Ellen, Helen, or Elizabeth, all of which trace back through Greek to a root meaning shining light or torch.
Ellie spent centuries as a nickname before quietly becoming a given name in its own right in the late 20th century. The rise tracks closely with the broader 'nickname-as-given-name' trend that also lifted Ava, Mia, Sophie, and Lily into the top of the US charts. Many girls named Ellie today have Ellie on their birth certificate rather than a longer Eleanor or Elizabeth. Currently US top thirty for girls.
How to spell Ellie
The standard spelling is Ellie. Common variants include Ellee, Elli, Elly, but Ellie is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #21 in 2024, currently #24 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Started as a short for Eleanor or Elizabeth and graduated to a given name in its own right. Either intent is current.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Ellie Goulding English singer-songwriter, Lights and Love Me Like You Do
- Ellie (The Last of Us) Co-protagonist of the video game and HBO series
Spelling variants
- Ellee
- Elli
- Elly
Names with the same feeling
See Ellie from another angle
By meaning
Common questions
- What does the name Ellie mean?
- Originally a nickname for Eleanor, Ellen, Helen, or Elizabeth, all of which trace back through Greek to a root meaning shining light or torch.
- What does Ellie mean in English?
- In English, Ellie means "Shining light." Ellie spent centuries as a nickname before quietly becoming a given name in its own right in the late 20th century. The rise tracks closely with the broader 'nickname-as-given-name' trend that also lifted Ava, Mia, Sophie, and Lily into the top of the US charts. Many girls named Ellie today have Ellie on their birth certificate rather than a longer Eleanor or Elizabeth. Currently US top thirty for girls.
- Is Ellie short for Eleanor?
- Yes. Ellie is a short form of Eleanor, and it carries the same meaning, "Shining light." These days many parents use Ellie as a given name in its own right, not only as a nickname.
- How do you pronounce Ellie?
- Ellie is pronounced ˈɛl.i. Say it as EL-ee, with the stress on the "el" syllable.
- How do you spell Ellie?
- The standard spelling is Ellie. Common spelling variants include Ellee, Elli, Elly.
- Is Ellie a boy or girl name?
- Ellie is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Ellie?
- Ellie ranked #24 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.