Ellis
Say it: EL-iss/ˈɛ.lɪs/
Boy and boyMeans from Elias, or from Welsh Elisedd (kind)5 letters2 syllables
#272
in Ireland (2025)
#264 with spellings combined
16
babies in 2025
#245
best rank (2020)
193
babies since 2000
Up 197
10-year rank change
Ellis through the years
Compare with another name →boysgirls
Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank | Babies (girls) | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 16 | #264 | 4 | #692 |
| 2024 | 14 | #279 | - | - |
| 2023 | 16 | #262 | 4 | #708 |
| 2022 | 10 | #367 | 5 | #627 |
| 2021 | 10 | #353 | 8 | #460 |
| 2020 | 19 | #245 | 4 | #678 |
| 2019 | 11 | #341 | - | - |
| 2018 | 10 | #359 | 3 | #872 |
| 2017 | 12 | #336 | 4 | #736 |
| 2016 | 10 | #372 | 4 | #749 |
| 2015 | 7 | #461 | - | - |
| 2014 | 11 | #364 | - | - |
| 2013 | 4 | #606 | - | - |
| 2012 | 5 | #548 | 5 | #679 |
| 2011 | 3 | #730 | 4 | #796 |
| 2010 | 6 | #491 | 6 | #594 |
| 2009 | 7 | #429 | 3 | #890 |
| 2007 | 3 | #629 | - | - |
| 2006 | 7 | #355 | - | - |
| 2005 | 3 | #518 | - | - |
| 2004 | 3 | #506 | - | - |
| 2002 | 3 | #451 | - | - |
| 2000 | 3 | #390 | - | - |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Ellis mean?
From Elias, or from Welsh Elisedd (kind)
English and Welsh, from a surname based on Elis, a medieval form of Elias, or on Welsh Elisedd.
Say it right
ELiss
The story of Ellis
Ellis began as a surname, and it has more than one source. In England it came from Elis, the medieval form of Elias, the Greek version of the Hebrew prophet Elijah. In Wales it was often a shortened form of Elisedd, which is based on an old Welsh word for kind or benevolent. Now and then the medieval name Elice, a pet form of Elizabeth, may also lie behind it.
Like many surnames, it has crossed over into use as a first name, and it is given to both boys and girls.
In Ireland Ellis first appears in the CSO records for boys in 2000. Its best year was 2020, with 19 boys and a place at number 245, and 16 boys were named Ellis in 2025. Girls have been given it since 2009 in small numbers. It ranks higher in Northern Ireland, where 10 boys were named Ellis in 2025.
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Sources
- Wiktionary: Ellis (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Ellis (given name)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- CSO VSA60, Girls Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, First Forenames Given to Babies Registered in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Ellis | 16 | 193 |
In Northern Ireland
#199 in 2025 with 10 babies. Best rank #160 (2019); 143 babies since 2000.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.
Ellis is also given to girls: 54 since 2009, 4 in 2025.