Ellen

Meaning of Ellen

This name means 'bright, shining one' or 'light'. It suggests someone radiant and luminous.

Ellen has Greek roots — browse every Greek baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Ellen

After ranking as high as #449 in 2003, Ellen has fallen out of the US top 1,000 as of 2025.

Notable people named Ellen

• Ellen DeGeneres
  Comedian, talk show host
• Ellen Pompeo
  Actress, 'Grey's Anatomy' star
• Ellen Burstyn
  Academy Award-winning actress
• Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
  Former President of Liberia
• Ellen Ochoa
  First Hispanic woman in space

More Greek names

Questions about the name Ellen

What does the name Ellen mean?

Ellen means this name means 'bright, shining one' or 'light'. it suggests someone radiant and luminous, and it comes from Greek origins.

Is Ellen a boy's or a girl's name?

Ellen is most commonly used as a girl's name in the United States.

How popular is the name Ellen?

Ellen did not appear in the top 1,000 baby names in 2025, which makes it a genuinely uncommon pick.

When was Ellen most popular?

Ellen peaked at #449 in 2003.