Ella

Meaning: all; or short for Eleanor/Ellen · Origin: Germanic · Gender: usually a girl's name

Origin & history

From the Germanic element alia, or as a short form of Eleanor and Ellen. Jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, the 'First Lady of Song', made it timeless.

Famous people named Ella

Ella Fitzgerald (singer)
Ella Henderson (singer)

Nicknames

Elle, Ellie

Variants & related names

Ela, Elle

Ella name art

A free preview of a printable “Ella” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.

Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.

FAQ

What does the name Ella mean?

Ella means “all; or short for Eleanor/Ellen”. It comes from Germanic.

Is Ella a popular name?

Yes — Ella has been one of the most popular girls' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.

What are nicknames for Ella?

Elle, Ellie.

What are other forms of Ella?

Ela, Elle.

Similar names

Louisa · Willa · Emma · Amelia · Alice · Emery

More: names starting with E · all girls' names

Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.