Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Ella

There are three potential etymologies for the name Ella. The first originated with an Old High German female name, Alia, either from the Germanic element “al” meaning “all” or from the Germanic element “ali” meaning “other, foreign” (or Olde English “elles” meaning “otherwise, else”). Secondly, Ella is often considered a pet form of Eleanor or Elizabeth (or any female name beginning with an “El-“ prefix). Lastly, Ella is a common diminutive word-forming element from the Latin/Spanish “-ella” meaning “she/her”. The name Ella has been used among English speakers since the 12th century. This simple, pretty moniker is currently very fashionable throughout the Western World. It’s a Top 10 favorite baby girl’s name in Sweden and Canada. It’s a Top 20 choice in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Belgium, Australia, Norway, England and the United States. Ella is also quite popular in Scotland and Denmark. “She” is liked by “all”!

All About the Baby Name – Ella

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME ELLA

The Three energy is powerful and enthusiastic. These personalities are cheerful, full of self-expression, and often quite emotional. They have an artistic flair and "gift-of-gab" that makes them natural entertainers. Their joyfulness bubbles over, and their infectious exuberance draws a crowd. The Three personality is like a child - forever young and full of delight. They are charming, witty, and generally happy people. The Three personality lives in the "now" and has a spontaneous nature. Threes seem to live with a bright and seemingly unbreakable aura that attracts others to them. In turn, they are deeply loyal and loving to their friends and family. Luck also has a tendency to favor number Threes.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME ELLA

In the United States the “-ella” names are all the rage. And Ella is no exception along with her kindred spirits (Isabella, Bella, Gabriella, Stella, and the like). In the year 1890, Ella was the 23rd most popular name for baby girls, but it slowly lost ground as we turned into the 20th century. During the mid-1980s, the name Ella actually disappeared from America’s Top 1000 list altogether. Her hiatus from usage would be short, however. Returning to the charts in 1990, Ella’s revival was fast and furious. By 2005 she was a Top 25 favorite nationwide and today she’s inching close to the Top 10. Watch out Isabella; you’ve got some competition!

Quick Facts

ON ELLA

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

15

PRONUNCIATION:

EL-ә

SIMPLE MEANING:

All; Other, foreign; She/her

Characteristics

OF ELLA

Communicative

Creative

Optimistic

Popular

Social

Dramatic

Happy

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Ella

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME ELLA

Ella Wright was Richard Wright’s mother whom he wrote about in his autobiography, “Black Boy” (1945). Richard Wright is most famous for his novel “Native Son” (1940). Tough on Richard and certainly unafraid to administer a beating when she believes it is appropriate, Ella nevertheless loves her son and is an advocate in his life. Despite falling into ill health and becoming partially paralyzed, she maintains an optimistic outlook on life.

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME ELLA

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Ella


Popular Songs

ON ELLA

Ella Mae
a song by Greg Brown

Ella Es
a song by Ricky Martin sung in Spanish

Ella, Elle L'a
a song by France Gall

Famous People

NAMED ELLA

Ella Fitzgerald (jazz singer)
Ella Fitzgerald (jazz singer)
Ella Fitzgerald (jazz singer)

Children of Famous People

NAMED ELLA

Mark Whalberg;

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME ELLA

Known as "The First Lady of Song," Ella Fitzgerald is arguably the most popular female jazz singer in the United States of all time. Her voice was flexible, wide-ranging, accurate and ageless. She could sing sultry ballads, sweet jazz and imitate every instrument in an orchestra. She worked with all the jazz greats, from Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Nat King Cole, to Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie and Benny Goodman. She performed at top venues all over the world, and packed them to the hilt. Her audiences were as diverse as her vocal range. They were rich and poor, made up of all races, all religions and all nationalities. In fact, many of them had just one binding factor in common - they all loved her.

Known as "The First Lady of Song," Ella Fitzgerald is arguably the most popular female jazz singer in the United States of all time. Her voice was flexible, wide-ranging, accurate and ageless. She could sing sultry ballads, sweet jazz and imitate every instrument in an orchestra. She worked with all the jazz greats, from Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Nat King Cole, to Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie and Benny Goodman. She performed at top venues all over the world, and packed them to the hilt. Her audiences were as diverse as her vocal range. They were rich and poor, made up of all races, all religions and all nationalities. In fact, many of them had just one binding factor in common - they all loved her.

Known as "The First Lady of Song," Ella Fitzgerald is arguably the most popular female jazz singer in the United States of all time. Her voice was flexible, wide-ranging, accurate and ageless. She could sing sultry ballads, sweet jazz and imitate every instrument in an orchestra. She worked with all the jazz greats, from Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Nat King Cole, to Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie and Benny Goodman. She performed at top venues all over the world, and packed them to the hilt. Her audiences were as diverse as her vocal range. They were rich and poor, made up of all races, all religions and all nationalities. In fact, many of them had just one binding factor in common - they all loved her.