How to say it
EL · lis
/ˈɛl.ɪs/
Masculine
Ellis
Yahweh is God, or 'benevolent'
What it means
Anglicized Welsh Elisedd (probably 'benevolent') or, separately, a medieval English surname descended from Elias/Elijah. Ellis Island (the New York immigration station, 1892-1954) is the deepest English-language anchor.
Ellis has two roots that converged. The Welsh Elisedd (anglicized to Ellis) probably means 'benevolent' or 'kind' — Elis was the name of several medieval Welsh princes. Separately, the English surname Ellis descends from Elias/Elijah (the Hebrew prophet) through medieval Norman French. Ellis Island, the New York harbor immigration station active 1892-1954, processed more than 12 million immigrants and gave the name its strongest American cultural anchor. As a first name Ellis is steady but quiet; it's been in the US top 500 since 2014 and is increasingly unisex. Common short: Eli, Lis, or El.
Popularity over time
peaked at #155 in 1899, currently #243 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–present. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pop culture
Ellis Island is the dominant US cultural anchor — many families have a literal Ellis Island ancestor and use the name as a small reference.
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.
- Ellis Island New York harbor immigration station, 1892-1954
Spelling variants
- Ellys
Names with the same feeling
See Ellis from another angle
By meaning
By style