Girl · English pet form · International
Ellie
EllieSay it EL-ee
- Meaning today
- Light, shining light
- Original meaning
- "pet form of names beginning El-, chiefly Eleanor, Ellen and Elizabeth" Online Etymology Dictionary, s.v. Eleanor
- Say it
- EL-ee
- Other spellings
- Elly, Elli
Ellie
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Ellie meaning
Ellie is an international girl's name of English pet form origin.
Meaning today
Light, shining light
Original English pet form meaning
"pet form of names beginning El-, chiefly Eleanor, Ellen and Elizabeth"
Source: Online Etymology Dictionary, s.v. Eleanor · entry Eleanor · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026
Ellie is a friendly short form of several names that begin with El-, most often Eleanor, but also Ellen, Elizabeth and Elena. Its meaning therefore depends on the longer name. Eleanor comes from the Provençal Aliénor, whose origin etymonline leaves uncertain; Ellen and Elena are forms of Helen, probably "the bright one"; and Elizabeth is the Hebrew Elisheba, which Strong's concordance gives as "God of the oath". Name lists usually give Ellie as "light" or "shining light", following the Helen link. It is also given as a full name in its own right. It is easy for Indian grandparents to say.
References: Online Etymology Dictionary, Eleanor · Online Etymology Dictionary, Helen · Strong's H472, Elisheba (biblehub.com)
Popularity abroad
- #24 United States, girls 2025 (down 3 from 21 in 2024)
US Social Security Administration - #119 England and Wales, girls 2025
Office for National Statistics
Official birth registrations. India publishes no national name statistics.
Spellings
Ellie · Elly · Elli